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Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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.

2020 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WS  97   
WA  96-98   
JD  96   
JR  17.5   

1983 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; 5 cm ullage; label condition issue

RP  94   
WS  90   

1986 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; label condition issue

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; 4.5 cm ullage; label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; 3.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; 3.5 cm ullage; label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; light signs of past seepage; 3.5 cm ullage

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light signs of past seepage; 3.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; 3.5 cm ullage; label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; light signs of past seepage; 4 cm ullage; label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; 3.5 cm ullage; label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1995 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

RP  99   
WS  91   

1995 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light label condition issue

RP  99   
WS  91   

1996 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

ST  90+    

1996 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

ST  90+    

1996 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

3.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

ST  90+    

2001 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light label condition issue

RP  92   
WS  91   
ST  91+    

2001 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

RP  92   
WS  91   
ST  91+    

2017 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

Light label condition issue

WA  96-98   
JR  17   

1979 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light signs of past seepage; 5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

1995 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Lightly depressed cork

RP  93   

2007 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina

Lightly depressed cork; label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  96   
VN  96   

2015 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina

JD  98   
RP  97   
WS  95   
VN  93-95   

1992 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; 3 cm ullage; light label condition issue

ST  92