Chateau Crabitey Graves Rouge 2018

Chateau Crabitey Graves Blanc is made from 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon.

Chateau Crabitey Graves Blanc displays a fine, light yellow color and a nice brilliance. Its nose is fine and complex - even lemony with its pomelo scent - with some smoky notes. In the mouth, the wine is fully developed and complex, with a nice volume as well as a light acidity for the freshness. The finish is long and distinguishes itself by nice and light woody and citrus fruit aromas.

Pairs with bisque, smoked fish, roasted chicken and vegetables with fresh herbs

Review:

"A fresh, tangy white with sliced lime and green-apple character. It’s medium-to full-bodied. Fruity finish. Creamy texture."

- James Suckling (Primeur tasting, June 2020) 91-92 pts

Chateau d'Etroyes Mercurey Rouge Premier Cru Clos l'Eveque is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir. 

The "Clos l'Evêque" was in the XVIII century  the best vineyard in Mercurey. It belonged to the Bishopric of Chalon-sur-Saône, near Mercurey, and the wine was used for the bishop' receptions as well as for the masses (only the best wine could be served to God). In French "Evêque" means Bishop. It is also called a "Clos" because the vines used to be surrounded by a wall. Some parts of it still remain.

Lovely garnet color, medium intensity, limpid and bright, beautiful tears. The nose, clean and elegant, evokes ripe red and black fruits, rapsberry, cherry, blackberry, blueberry; the aeration is enriched by fine woody notes, roasted coffee, cocoa and a hint of licorice. The palate is ample, full, round and fleshy with a fruity expression of a beautiful purity; the evolution shows a fine substance, silky tannins supported by the freshness; the whole, perfectly balanced, presents a long torrefied finish on sweet spices.

From the 1er Cru "Clos l'Eveque", situated in the Northern part of the Mercurey village.

Harvesting is done manually and in crates to avoid trituration and bursting of the berries. The grapes are totally de-stemmed and put into tanks at low temperature for 3 days minimum. The maximum fruit is extracted. Pumping and some light pigeages will allow us to extract the coloring matter and tannins, which will promise us a good aging. The fermentation temperature will rise gradually to more than 30°C in order to stabilize the color. Once the sugars are finished, about 15 days minimum, maceration ends in closed tank for the final outcome of the wine.

The juice from the vat will be drawn off, then the solid material will be pressed into a pneumatic press and will be added in small touches to the free-run juice. After settling of the juice for 24 hours, the wines are intoned for aging in oak barrels for a period of 11 months. Malolactic fermentation will gradually start and will end in barrels.

Pairs with Beautiful meats (roast beef) and cheese.  After the wine has aged, it can also be served with game.

Review:

"The toast, tar and licorice notes of oak play on the nose of this wine, obscuring the cherry fruit. Ripe, juicy dark cherry and a vein of freshness show on the palate as the oak notes recede and form a backdrop along with firm but fine tannin. The finish is balanced, rounded and juicy. Anne KREBIEHL MW"
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2020), 92 pts

Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge Le Miocene is made from 65% Grenache noir, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. 

An intense dark-ruby color. The nose develop aromas of ripe black fruit (such as blackberry), cherry and spice box. The palate reveals the presence of tannins, in high quantity and elegant. The finish is long and luxurious. This is the Châteauneuf du Pape expression, displaying all the characteristics of the terroir.

Soil type: Plots are located northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape and the vines are grown under organic process.The soil is marked by the violence wrought by the Rhone river. It consists of a layer of marine molasses of the Miocene period covered by alpine alluvium. The presence of a great number of rounded stones known as "galets" in the earth is evidence of the time when the Rhone, then a torrent, tore fragments of rock from the Alps and deposited them on the plain. The GRAND VENEUR cuvee will express year after year a great power and aromatic complexity.

Winemaking & ageing: Harvest is sorted by hand, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in vats and oak casks.

Review:

"The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Miocène can be thought of as the entry-level Châteauneuf from this estate and is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre brought up in a mix of tank and neutral, older barrels. Impressive notes of mulled black cherries, darker currants, chocolaty herbs, and pepper all emerge from the glass and this medium to full-bodied 2018 has a great mid-palate, ample depth and richness, and sweet tannins. It’s beautifully done and just about seamless on the palate, with the forward, already delicious style of the vintage front and center. enjoy bottles anytime over the coming decade."

- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2020), 92 pts

Tangs of granite and firm, gripping tannins lend angularity to concentrated black cherry and plum in this wine. A blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%) and Mourvédre (10%), it's weighty on the palate but sharply cut by zingy red-cassis acidity. At peak now through 2028, the wine should hold further still.

- Wine Enthusiast (May 2021), 93 pts

Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Origines (MAGNUM) is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah

Matured in vats (grenache) and in oak casks (syrah and mourvèdre).

Deep and brilliant, purple-red colour. An exciting nose with aromas of black fruit (blackcurrant, cherry) spices and vanilla. This great aromatic complexity is found on the palate : the spices and ripe fruit appear with an elegant woodiness and harmonious tannins. The finish has good aromatic length and introduces a touch of liquorice and pepper.

A terrific Châteauneuf du Pape with great concentration and finesse.

Best between 2 and 20 years. Best to decant if young (less than 5 years old).

Soil type Extreme north of Châteauneuf du Pape. This plateau is made with a high quantity of red clay mixed with rocks. This area is considerated to be one of the best to produce rich and powerful red wines. By definition, LES ORIGINES will always deliver a great complexity and ageing potential. Winemaking & ageing Harvest is sorted by hand, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in vats (grenache) and in oak casks (syrah and mourvèdre).

 Review:

Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge is made from 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah.

A clear and very expressive nose with notes of black fruits, spices and licorice. The mouth reveals tanins that are already supple with a great balance.
The finish is long, on black fruits, licorice and a slight salinity.

Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge is made from grilled rib of beef, roasted duck with figs, boar stew.

Review:

"The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape is 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Herbes de Provence, ground pepper, violets, and red and black currants all flow to a medium to full-bodied, round, supple, sexy wine that’s very much in the style of the vintage. My money is on it being an outstanding wine, and it’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate."

- Jeb Dunnuck (August 2019), 91-93 pts

Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape XV Rouge is made from 50% Grenache, 45% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah. From 100 year old vines. 

It shows a bit of toasty oak up front but balances that with ample black cherry fruit and soft, dusty tannins. Long and harmonious on the finish, it should drink well on release in 2019 and for a decade or more after that.

Pairs with beef with mustard sauce - Pork tenderloin with winter vegetables - Roasted duck - Malaysian pork chop and spice tea.

Review:

Checking in as equal parts Syrah and Mourvèdre, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape XV will certainly be an outstanding wine. It sports a deep purple color as well as lots of black and blue fruits, leafy herbs, cracked pepper, and a touch of minerality. Medium to full-bodied, it has good balance, terrific purity, and outstanding length.

-Jeb Dunnuck 90-93 Points