Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Evolving Terroir and Iconic Winemakers

The very first area to be protected under France’s appellation system, Châteauneuf-du-Pape has maintained its mythical status even as its landscape changes in challenging ways.

Once known for power and weight above all, there is now more diversity than ever thanks to a handful of winemakers adept at balancing their terroir’s signature richness with vivid, perfumed aromatics.

Two undisputed masters of Grenache headline today’s offer: Emmanuel Reynaud of Château Rayas & Marcel Bonneau of Domaine Henri Bonneau. At Rayas, a single north-facing vineyard produces the Grenache that will become the Grand Vin. While the fruit is picked as late as possible, whole cluster fermentation in 100-year-old foudre ensures levity, layering resinous aromas of rosemary and star anise over base notes of white pepper and raspberry liqueur.

Bonneau follows a similar winemaking regimen but draws his best fruit from Le Crau. The famously boulder-strewn plateau produces wines of unique power. Bonneau is also known to blend some press wine back after barrel aging, creating a uniquely muscular and age-worthy wine.

For those searching for a truly rare & collectible bottling, we have included two large formats of Château de Beaucastel’s Hommage à Jacques Perrin, one of which is from the wine’s first vintage, 1989. Only produced in the best years, the Hommage à Jacques Perrin is a rarity marked by the majority of Mourvèdre in its blend and its unparalleled aging potential.

Finally, Isabel Ferrando’s Domaine Saint Prefert is a relative newcomer, founded in just 2003. After many vintages of experimentation under the tutelage of Henri Bonneau, Ferrando’s wines have emerged as a force of their own. They stand as an exciting and affordable snapshot of a rare new voice ascending to the level of her mentors.