2020 La Bastide Saint Dominique Chateauneuf-du-Pape 'Secrets de Pignan' Vieilles Vignes

"Located near Courthezon, La Bastide Saint Dominque is run with incredible talent by Eric Bonnet." ~Jeb Dunnuck

Step into the heart of Provence, where the sun-drenched vineyards of La Bastide Saint Dominique yield a wine that embodies the essence of Southern Rhône elegance. Nestled in the foothills of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this family estate has been crafting exceptional wines for over four decades.The story of Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique began in 1976. Four years later, in 1980, the estate celebrated a milestone moment as they proudly produced, bottled, and sold their inaugural wine.

Built around a former 16th century chapel, the estate was founded by Marie-Claude and Gérard Bonnet, La Bastide Saint Dominique began as a humble dream nurtured on just a few hectares of land. Now, under the stewardship of their son Eric, this legacy continues to flourish, spanning 123 acres and producing a range of esteemed wines.

Here, tradition meets innovation, as the estate embraces organic farming practices to preserve the richness of the soil and the integrity of the vines. The unique terroir, characterized by limestone soils and tempered by the Mistral wind, imparts a distinctive character to each bottle. The estate has been certified organic since 2011.

Eric Bonnet, the mastermind behind La Bastide Saint Dominique, began his winemaking journey in the renowned vineyards of Burgundy. Influenced by the region's delicate approach, he expertly balances power and detail in every bottle. This fusion of Burgundian finesse and Southern Rhône terroir creates wines of unparalleled elegance and complexity.

La Bastide is 1.4 miles North of the historic and formidable and much more expensive Chateau Rayas.

Aging: 20 months in vats.

100% Old Vine Grenache. 
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Secrets De Pignan is all Grenache and comes from an incredible terroir just beside Rayas. Brought up entirely in stainless steel, it offers a deeper ruby/plum color as well as fabulous notes of black raspberries, Morello cherries, sandalwood, Provençal garrigue, and dried flowers. It brings beautiful depth of fruit on the palate, has full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It's another brilliant 2020 that readers will love to drink any time over the coming 15 years or more. ~97 Jeb Dunnuck

Fine, fresh and herbal with expressive black cherry, liquorice and violets. Full-bodied, gummy and ripe in fruit, but the acidity and plentiful tannin help to keep everything moving and focused. An exceptional, long expression of pure Grenache on sand, it has the fine tannins and elegant structure you'd hope for, alongside great freshness and balance. Its longevity isn't easy to predict, but it's hard to resist drinking now anyway. From a south-facing vineyard planted in 1920 in lieu-dit Pignan, fermented and then matured in stainless steel for 18 months. 6,000 bottles made. ~96 Decanter

All Grenache from the sandy soils of Pignan (Nord), with élevage in stainless steel, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Secrets de Pignan is a prodigious effort. Boasting bombastic aromas of black cherries, licorice and black olives, this full-bodied wine is concentrated and rich and needs additional time in the bottle, as it's marked by dusty tannins on the lingering finish. ~95+ Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A very impressive Chateauneuf with stunning damson plum fruit, also delicate notes of savory and smoke. Although this has a huge structure the wine doesn’t feel a jot too big thanks to the excellent concentration. So much savory and earthy depth at the long finish. 100% grenache from century old vines growing on sandy soil. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. ~95 James Suckling

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