About the Wine

Located about a five-minute drive outside the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape along the road that leads to Courthezon, you will find Château de Vaudieu. This historical estate is just 550m south of the emblematic and formidable Chateau Rayas. Just to give you an idea of the quality and reputation of this terroir, Château Rayas's wines sell up to $1,000 a bottle or even more, depending on the vintage. 

Château de Vaudieu is one of three 18th-century Chateaux located in the appellation, tucked into a small valley surrounded by hills and plateau. It is at the intersection of several major terroirs: sandy soils to the north, pale limestone and clays centered around a forested hillock, and two large plateaux of somewhat overexposed galets. The estate had a great reputation during the 19th century for exporting wines all over Europe. In 1955, Gabriel Meffre purchased this once-historic estate. At the time, there were only 60 acres of vines, and under his leadership, the estate reached more than 170 acres – something very rare in the appellation.

Today Gabriel Meffre's grandchildren, Laurent Brechet, and his brother, Julien, run this ascending Domaine. Through their mother, Sylvette, they inherited several properties when Gabriel died in 1987, including Château de la Coulerette in Provence. Since taking over the property, Laurent has continued to expand plantings, especially on the underutilized limestone terroir. He has enlisted the assistance of Philippe Cambie (2010 oenologist of the year per Robert Parker) in the winemaking, and while the wines are modern in style, they showcase their terroirs beautifully. 

The 2019 Château de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape was featured as number #35 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Selection in 2021. 

2019 was a great year for CDP, this vintage was awarded 94 points by Wine Spectator, who stated that "Reds are rich, ripe and expressive, with refined textures. A gorgeous vintage."

Aging:Syrah is aged for 12 months in barrels, Grenache, and Mourvedre in demi-muid.

Tasting Notes: 64% Grenache, 26% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. A deep ruby ​​color. The nose reveals a subtle blend of strawberry jam and cocoa bean, then notes of white pepper take the lead. On the palate, the attack is fresh thanks to a beautiful concentration of tannins.

Reviews

This is lovely, with lush waves of creamed plum, raspberry reduction and blackberry compote rolling through in unison, carried by a layer of black licorice while a buried minerality reverberates through the lengthy finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2022 through 2035. 2,613 cases made, 500 cases imported. ~94 Wine Spectator.

The classic 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from this great estate is a winner and you certainly won’t be disappointed with bottles in the cellar. Lots of black raspberries, ripe cherries, flowery incense, and strawberry notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, wonderfully textured, balanced 2019 that has ripe tannins and outstanding length. A blend of 58% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre, the rest Cinsault, drink it any time over the coming 10-15 years. ~93 Jeb Dunnuck.

Perhaps just a bit more structured than previous years, Vaudieu's 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape—a blend of 58% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre and 6% Cinsault—is richly tannic but ripe, while retaining a good sense of freshness. Blueberry and cherry aromas mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is open-knit and slightly coarse in texture but finishes long and harmonious. Give it a year to smooth out a little, and drink it over the following decade. ~92 Robert Parker.

***Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles of This Wine***