2020 Chimere, 1.5ltr

Chimere is a joint venture in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, in France’s southern Rhone Valley, between Manfred Krankl, the brothers Vincent and Pascal Maurel, and oenologist Philippe Cambie. The venture was formed to make a Chateauneuf-du-Pape that would reflect the terroir of one of the most famous vineyards of the Rhone Valley, La Crau, and the collective know-how of several of the world’s most admired winemakers. Krankl is the founder and winemaker behind Sine Qua Non, the Central California Coast cult producer of highly individualistic wines. The Maurels own and operate the renowned Clos Saint-Jean in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and Cambie is the Rhone Valley’s most admired consulting winemaker. Predominantly Mourvedre (95%), Chimere is French for “chimera,” or dream or fantasy, and 2010 was the debut vintage. Only four 300-liter barrels were made, only in magnums, about 800 of which were bottled.

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.

Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non, Vincent and Pascal Maurel & Philippe Cambie of Clos Saint Jean cooperative.