| Producer | Dom Clef de St Thomas |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhone Valley |
| Varietal | Rhone Blend |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Sku | 05026 |
| Size | 750ml |
| ABV | 15.00% |
Chateauneuf du Pape, the greatest red of France’s Southern Rhone Valley, can be a bit TOO “great” – too rich, too alcoholic and too expensive. Not here, where a gutsy 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah delivers loads of authentic Chateauneuf aroma, flavor and rich texture without beating up either your palate or your wallet! It comes from vineyards with more sandy soils and fewer of the rounded stone gallet that tend to heat up all day and then keep the grapes warm and developing alcohol all night.
Bold black raspberry and black cherry fruit glides across your tongue with silky ease. A nice pop of garrigue – the French word for the smell of wild thyme, rosemary, lavender and black olive that permeates this part of the Rhone – adds interest and there’s just enough fine and supple tannin to keep everything in shape. Soft enough to serve as a fancy party red, but with enough heft and body for the classic matches of grilled lamb, ratatouille or anything with a big dollop of garlic and herbs.
For You If: You like the flavors of robust reds from Spain and the South of France and want that in a wine with a bit more pedigree and style; you enjoy Chateauneuf du Pape flavors and texture and want to have them to share at a much more affordable price than normal.
Not For You If: You’re looking for restraint, elegance or a lot of structure – Chateauneuf is always a big, fleshy, kind of in-your-face, red and while this one pulls back from any extremes, it’s still very much a wine of its place and heritage.
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