2005 Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Chante Cigale in Châteauneuf du Pape takes its name from the cicada, which is a common Provencal summer insect. During warm summer evenings the male cicadas make clicking noises to attract mates, and the domaine’s name means the “singing cicada.” Founded in 1874 the estate is now owned and run by the Favier family, with Alexandre Favier as winemaker. The 104-acre estate grows Rhone Valley red and white grapes on 45 parcels throughout the appellation. Chante Cigale makes Châteauneuf du Pape red and white and Côtes du Rhone vieilles vignes red, which is a blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah. Wine Advocate has noted that the estate “is managed by the young, super-talented Alexandre Favier. Some of the estate’s finest plots are planted in sandy soils (in which Grenache seems to flourish) located next to Chateau Rayas. The spectacular Vieilles Vignes cuvee, which was first made in 1996, comes primarily from Bois Dauphin as well as Les Pialons …”

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.