The domaine says “This cuvée is the quintessence of our terroirs and know-how, and is produced solely in exceptional years. The Grenache grapes come from the oldest parcel of the “Domaine de la Solitude”, situated on the western slope leading up to the “La Crau” plateau, on a terroir of Safres. The Syrah grapes are grown in the cool, Safres terroir of “Les Blachières”. This flavoursome cuvée with a richly smooth texture is aged for 18 months, shared between barrels and vats, before being blended and left to age for another year in a large wooden vat called foudre.”
The wine made its debut with the 2000 vintage and is only produced when the quality is exceptional.
This has been built for the ages but is already delicious. Enormously powerful and structured, but the wildness has been tamed through the long maturation and the tannins are now very soft, and somehow this full-bodied Chateauneuf-du-Pape has become mellow and restrained. Lots of meaty and savory complexity through the crescendo of the finish. 65% grenache matured in a mix of concrete tanks and oak casks and 35% syrah matured exclusively in wooden casks for a total of 38 months. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. 98 Points
