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Sunday, September 15, 2024

2016 Chapelle St. Théodoric CdP La Guigasse

 

Producer notes from Josh Raynolds:

"..One of the most exciting new projects in the Rhône Valley, these wines are the result of a collaboration of Domaine de Cristia’s Dominique and Baptiste Grangeon and American importer Peter Weygandt, who are seeking to harness and express the singular aromatic complexity and delicacy provided by Grenache grown on the sandy soils of the vaunted Pignan vineyard.

To that end no new oak is used, just neutral foudres and the wines are bottled without fining or filtration. The wines are made with whole clusters and their light color belies the flavor intensity that is delivered, making this a highly appealing source for those who usually steer clear of this region’s wines out of fear of their being too rich, too heavy or too dark-fruited in character.."

15% abv. 100% Grenache. Whole cluster.  Decanted to aerate. Paired very well with spicy Asian chicken and steamed pork dumplings. 

Warm, luscious fruit nose. On the palate, the impression is one of very high quality raspberry inflected fruit. The inclusion of whole clusters is a welcome balance to the richness of the fruit. Fine grained, elegant tannins are quite resolved at this point. Although, I would not hesitate to cellaring this wine for another decade or more. 

I'd still appreciate any effort to moderate the alcohol content to perhaps a more reasonable 13.5%.

With this wine, I'm just not getting the beautiful garrigue or black tea notes that I so prize in traditional CdP. 

As a reference point, one of my favorite CdP producers is Laurence Féraud at Domaine du Pégau, who I believe incorporates all or most of the 13 varietals permitted in CdP into their Réservée cuvee to create a truly magical wine.



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