For starters, they make a very small quantity of a delicious 2009 white Chateauneuf du Pape from a blend of equal parts Grenache, Roussanne and Clairette, with just a tiny bit of Bourboulenc thrown in. Only about 5,000 bottles were produced, and the wine (aged mostly in stainless steel with some of the Roussanne in small barrel) is a wonderful, waxy, honeysuckle-scented wine with plenty of pear and buttery citrus. Drink it over the next year.
I don’t think anyone would disagree that young proprietors Dominique and Baptiste Grangeon are among the up-and-coming stars in Chateauneuf du Pape. This is another biodynamically farmed vineyard, and the Grangeons have been on fire qualitatively for the last five to six years. The 2007s were probably the strongest vintage overall that I have tasted from them, but 2005 was also brilliant at Cristia, and 2009 looks exceptionally strong as well. Cristia also turns out very fine Cotes du Rhones that sell for a song, and the 2009s are all in bottle.
Importers: Wine Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (800) 331-2829; Galaxy Wine Co., Portland, OR; tel. (503) 248-9493; George Molitor, Fine Vines, LLC, Melrose Park, IL; tel. (708) 343-6702; Wine Symphony, New York NY; tel. (212) 226-8283; ABC Fine Wines and Spirits, Orlando, FL; tel. (407) 851-0000