Jeb Dunnuck, real Rhône wine passionate, has rated our Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe 2010 with an “outstanding” in the recent Rhône Report of his eponymous blog. We have already noticed the crunchy fruit and the delicate tannins of this Grenache based wine during last year’s vintage. Grown on sandy soils of the area called Sainte Vierges in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, we replaced some missing vines of this 40-year-old Grenache by Mourvèdre and Counoise. Still ripening in large oak vats, the wine should be ready for bottling by next spring. But let’s rather listen to the nose and the palate of Jeb Dunnuck:

“A brilliant barrel sample and a blend of 100% Grenache that’s aged all in foudre for 18 months, the 2010 Domaine Santa Duc Châteauneuf­du­Pape is fantastic on the nose, showing a traditional, yet pure, fresh profile of raspberry, black currant, garrigue, flowers, and striking minerality. Just as good on the palate, with a medium to full-bodied, concentrated feel, serious structure, loads of ripe fruit, and a lengthy finish, this locked and loaded Châteauneuf­du­Pape has the fruit to be approachable young, but the stuffing and bones to age effortlessly for 15+ years. Fantastic stuff.”