2007 Domaine du Grand Tinel Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Alexis Establet, 1.5ltr

Domaine du Grand Tinel is in Chateauneuf du Pape. Its history dates to the 16th century when the Establet and Jeune families were both landowners and winemakers in the region. In the 1960s the two estates combined through marriage, and in 1972 it was renamed Domaine Grand Tinel. Today the estate is still family owned and run by the siblings Christophe, Beatrice and Isabelle Jeune. The 136-acre estate is planted to 80% Grenache. The remaining acres are planted to Syrah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Mourvedre, Counoise, Clairette, Bourbolenc and Cinsault. The estate makes red and white Chateauneuf du Pape. Wine Advocate has noted that the domaine’s “perfumed and fruit-loaded efforts are made by the Jeune family, with consulting help by Philippe Cambie. The reds here always show solid aromatics and back it up with supple, deliciously textured mouthfeels.”

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the appellation, is a large area of nearly 8,000 vineyard acres centered around the picturesque town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Located in southeastern France just north of the Avignon hills, the name of the appellation means “new castle of the pope” and it is a reference to the 14th century, when the Popes of Avignon built summer homes in the Southern Rhone Valley. Today the appellation is one of the most renowned in France and its terroir is known for layers of small pebbles, called “galets.” The stones in the soil are thought to help store heat and keep the soil warm, which helps ripen the grapes. The stones also help keep the soil from drying out in hot summer months. In 1923 Châteauneuf-du-Pape was a leader in establishing the idea that AOC wines in France should be made only with specified grapes, and the appellation allowed 13 grape varieties to be used. Since then the rules have been slightly modified to include several more allowable grapes. Red and white wines are produced, though in practice about 97% of all Châteauneuf –du-Papes are reds made with a blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvedre, Muscardine, Syrah and Vaccarese. The red wines of this appellation are prized for being big, rich, spicy and full-bodied. White wines of the appellation are made with Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picpoul and Picardin. Whites are floral, fruity and relatively full-bodied.