Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf Du Pape Amiral G 2021

Drink now or cellar for up to 17 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. Built by Admiral Gérin in 1767, Chateau de Vaudieu is one of the Southern Rhone’s oldest and most charming estates. The property is named after the nearby “Val de Dieu” or “Valley of God” which sits at the heart of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Over the past couple of centuries the chateau has earned a reputation for producing top quality Chateaneuf du Pape wines and was actually one of the first local producers to start exporting its wines abroad. For the past 50 years it has been owned by the Brechet family. Made to honour the man who built the charming manor house at the centre of the estate, Amiral G is Vaudieu’s flagship wine. Grapes are sourced from a parcel of old vine Grenache which has an estimated average age of over 60 years and is planted on red clay and stony soils. Each year the grapes are carefully harvested by hand and fermented in concrete vats before ageing in new 600 litre French oak barrels for 18 months. The result is a full-throttled red that is sure to please lovers of rich and robust Chateaneuf du Pape wines. The nose opens with classic Southern Rhone notes of luscious bramble, dried fruit and subtle hints of dried herbs while the palate offers a full body, ripe yet firm tannins and a very long finish. An ideal addition to the cellar which will continue to develop over the next 15 years or so.

Price: £75.66 from 8wines UK