Domaine Chante Cigale Vieilles Vignes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France

尚特酒莊教皇新堡老藤紅葡萄酒

點(diǎn)擊次數(shù)：4165

The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. Aged in a combination of demi-muids and older barriques, it shows some smoky notes on the nose, with hints of garrigue, cherries and stone fruit. Full-bodied, rich and velvety on the palate, it closes with more fruit than spice.

The pricier 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a traditional blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Aged in a combination of demi-muids and older barriques, it shows some smoky notes and briary raspberry fruit on the nose, then delivers ample creamy richness on the palate and a long, mocha-tinged finish.

Similar in style to the traditional cuvee, yet with a tad more concentration, the outstanding 2013 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre) reveals a darker ruby color to go with old school notes of ground Proven?al herbs, leather, mineral and darker berry fruit. Medium plus-bodied, firm, and closed on the palate yet with solid mid-palate depth, give it a year or two and drink bottle through 2025.

A step up over the traditional cuvee, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, all destemmed, that was aged 60% in demi-muid and 40% in tank. One of the more voluptuous, textured and layered efforts, it offers fabulous minerality in its crushed rock, ground herbs, mulled blackberry and kirsch-driven aromas and flavors. It has a rocking core of sweet fruit, integrated acidity and plenty of tannin, all of which say it’s going to have a long life. I’d give bottles another year or so and plan on consuming them through 2027.

The greatest wine I have ever tasted from this estate (and I don’t think that’s an overstatement) is Chante Cigale’s 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes. A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre from 65- to 125-year-old-vines, it was aged 40% in foudre, 30% in concrete and 30% in a combination of old and new small oak. This wine boasts off-the-charts intensity, full-bodied power and abundant notes of roasted Provencal herbs interwoven with lavender, creme de cassis, kirsch, black raspberry, truffle and smoked meat-like characteristics. Rich, full-bodied and extraordinarily structured and massive, this 2010 begs for 4-5 years of cellaring. It should keep for 25-30+ years. Bravo! An old estate, Chante Cigale, which owns nearly 100 acres of vineyards (45 separate parcels) throughout the northern and southern sectors of Chateauneuf du Pape, is owned by the Favier family. Currently, it is managed by the young, super-talented Alexandre Favier. Some of the estate’s finest plots are planted in sandy soils (in which Grenache seems to flourish) located next to Chateau Rayas. The spectacular Vieilles Vignes cuvee, which was first made in 1996, comes primarily from Bois Dauphin as well as Les Pialons (from where Daniel Brunier’s Roquete emerges) and the plateau of Cabrieres north of the village. Chante Cigale’s 2010s may be the finest wines I have ever tasted from this estate. Importers: David Bowler Wine (212) 807-1680; Elite Estates, Braintree, MA; tel. (781) 348-8000 and Wine Adventures, West Des Moines, IA; tel. (515) 222-0866