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Châteauneuf-du-Pape is widely regarded as the crown jewel of the Southern Rhône. It is one of the oldest wine appellations in France. The name translates to “new castle of the Pope” referencing when Avignon was the seat of Roman Catholic church under Pope Clemens V. Steeped in a rich history, wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape are made from a blend of the approved 18 Rhône varieties. The red wines are dominated by Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre supporting to make the classic Rhône-blend but lately more single varietal Grenache wines are coming to market.
Common flavors for wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape are plums, raspberry, and blackberry with secondary flavors of white pepper and mineral tones like saline. The prestigious red wines are built to last, with bright fruit flavor and ample acidity in their youth they can be laid down in the cellar for decades.
Here are 10 wines that are great now or to hold onto for another day.
Alain Jaume et Fils 2019 Domaine Grand Veneur Les Origines (Châteauneuf-du-Pape); $82. Buy on Wine.com. Although matured in 50% new oak, a core of pristine black cherry and cassis flavors entices in this blend… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Château de la Font du Loup 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape; $60. Buy on Vivino. Notes of red-cherry preserves and freshly picked strawberries are accented by mint and bramble in this bright… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Château Maucoil 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape; $50. Find on Wine-Searcher. Sourced from Maucoil’s youngest vines (still an impressive 40 years old) this sun-kissed, fruit-forward… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Domaine Chante Cigale 2019 Pi (Châteauneuf-du-Pape); $85. Buy on Vivino. Deep tones of blackberry and preserved raspberry are plump and creamy on the palate of this full-bodied… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Domaine de la Présidente 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape; $35. Buy on Total Wine & More. A six-month maturation predominantly in oak lends pleasantly nutty, smoky inflections to bold… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Domaine de Marcoux 2019 Vieilles Vignes (Châteauneuf-du-Pape); $180. Buy on Vivino. Aromas of violet and fresh raspberry introduce this Grenache-dominant red. Sourced from biodynamically grown… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Domaine Jean Royer 2019 Les Sables de la Crau Grenache (Châteauneuf-du-Pape); $76. Buy on Wine.com. There’s a distinct perfume and delicacy of texture to Châteauneuf-du-Pape sourced from les sables… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils 2018 Cuvée de mon Aïeul (Châteauneuf-du-Pape); $125. Find on Wine-Searcher. Streaks of black fig and boysenberry preserves extend from nose to finish in this pure-fruited varietal Grenache… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Gabriel Meffre 2019 Saint Théodoric (Châteauneuf-du-Pape); $60. Find on Wine-Searcher. Richly concentrated swirls of black-cherry preserve and roasted plum are accented by hints of granite… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Halos de Jupiter 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape; $50. Buy on Total Wine & More. One of the last vintages made by the recently deceased Rhône luminary, Philippe Cambie, this fruit-forward… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Last Updated: June 6, 2023
