Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf Du Pape Val de Dieu 2021

Cellar for up to 16 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. Considered one of Chateauneuf du Pape’s most beautiful and historic estates, Chateau de Vaudieu was founded by Admiral Gérin who built the elegant manor house here in 1767. The property takes its name from the “Val de Dieu” or “Valley of God” which lies in the heart of the region. Over its long history Vaudieu has earned a reputation for producing exceptional wines and was one of the first producers here to start exporting wines. For the past half century the chateau has been owned by the Brechet family who have expanded the vineyard holdings to total 70 hectares. The Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre fruit used for this powerful red is sourced primarily from the Val de Dieu. The wide variety of soil types in the valley help to create a remarkably complex wine which showcases the excellence and multiplicity of Chateaneuf du Pape’s terroir. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in tanks before being aged in 600 litre and 228 litre oak barrels. This helps to create a rich, full bodied wine that is bursting with seductive dark fruit, sweet spice and bitter licorice notes. On the palate there are plenty of firm yet refined tannins, a well-built structure and a very long finish seasoned with dried herbs, baked earth and hints of woodsmoke.

Price: £42.35 from 8wines UK