2016 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Croix de Bois”

Some rules are meant to be broken. You will rarely see a 100% Grenache wine hailing from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, yet this mastery showcases why Chapoutier continues to set the benchmark for high quality wine in the Rhone Valley. Robert Parker's words are worth repeating, "the 2016 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois looks to be the star of Chapoutier's Southern Rhône collection." 

Sourced from quartzite shingles and sandy red clay soils, this is classic Grenache with meditative notes. The grapes are destemmed before the wine is vinified in concrete tanks. Fermentation lasts around 3 weeks, in order to polymerize the tannins. Finally the wine is aged in tanks for 21 months. The wine is literally a rock star now, but will age from 30-50+ years. 

100% Grenache.In the glass, the wine blastsintense red. The nose is dominated by black fruits and blackberry jam. On the palate, the wine is unctuous and smooth with warm tannins.

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois comes from a site on the eastern side of the appellation and, like its bigger brother, is 100% destemmed Grenache that saw 21 months in concrete tanks. Blueberries, crème de cassis, crushed rocks, licorice, and pepper notes all emerge from this deep, powerful, surprisingly structured example of this cuvée. It has tons of fat and richness, but give bottles a few years. ~97JD

Not yet bottled, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois looks to be the star of Chapoutier's Southern Rhône collection. Cracked pepper, licorice and black raspberry notes sing loudly in this full-bodied, supple, creamy-textured beauty. There's a hint of warmth on the lingering, mouthwatering finish, which may limit its ageability, but this is so sexy and lush now, who could resist?  ~95/97RP

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