2010 Chateau Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Privilege

Château Maucoil is a 50-acre estate with a history that dates back to the Romans. Records indicate that the property served as barracks for Caesar’s armies, and that they drank wine produced from its vineyards. By the 17th century the property was known as Château Maucoil and had a reputation for producing excellent wine. In 1995 Château Maucoil was acquired by Guy and Danielle Arnaud. In 2009 the couple turned the management of the estate over to their daughter and son-in-law, Bénédicte Arnaud-Bonnet and Charles Bonnet. The estate grows all 13 grapes permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its soil is made up of small stone mixed with red clay. The estate makes red and white wine, including some wines in the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation.

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.