Unique Chateauneuf... beamed back to another age

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Domaine de la Solitude
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“…this [Vin de la Solitude 2019] is a unique Chateauneuf that makes you feel like you’ve been beamed back to another age” – Stuart Piggot (97 Pts)

Domaine de la Solitude belongs to one of the oldest families of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with their roots in the area dating back to the 15th Century. It was in the 17th Century that Hélène Barberini, a descendant of the illustrious Tuscan family of the same name, married Claude Martin, owner of a vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Their grandson created the first wine in the appellation “Le Vin de la Solitude” which became a symbol of quality. Eight generations later, the 100 acre contiguous estate, on the edge of the coveted La Crau plateau, is run by Florent Lançon.

This is “terroir central” in the region’s classiest appellation and home to a number of prestigious “lieux-dits. The vines are special too with some of them being over 100 years old and the average age of all the vines being 50 years. All thirteen permitted grape varietals grow well in La Crau’s hospitable soil mix of sand, loam and clay but the focus at Domaine de la Solitude is on four whites – Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette and Bourboulenc and four reds – Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.

The vineyards are certified organic and in conversion to biodynamics. Florent's aim is to use the beautiful terroir at his disposal to produce soft, balanced wines with length, not breadth or richness which you would normally find in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Vin de Solitude, harks back to the pre-phylloxera age when grenache was not the dominant varietal — They even have replica labels from the 1750’s. Grenache only accounts for about 20% of the blend, with the rest a mix of Counoise, Syrah, Mourvèdre and about 9% white varieties which are all co-fermented as whole clusters combined with 90 days of maceration in a single 36hl special layered Vat and then aged for a further 18 months. Joe Czerwinski for Robert Parker writes “Both of these wines boast impressive complexity and restrained alcohol levels”.

I was lucky enough to taste these incredibly limited releases with Florent recently and can't recommend them highly enough.

ETA Spring 2023

2021 Chateauneuf du Pape, Vin de la Solitude, Blanc

£120.00 per 3 Bot Case, in bond
£152.03 Duty & VAT paid

Only 2 cases available

The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Vin De La Solitude Blanc is a unique blend of 30% Clairette, 20% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 10% each Bourboulenc, Picpoul Blanc, and Clairette Rosé. Its medium gold hue is followed by an exotic bouquet of honeyed stone fruits, quince, flowers, brioche, and crushed stone. Rich, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and textured, it's a brilliant, seamless, powerful white that does everything right. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it only got better with air. I would drink bottles over the coming 5-7 years, but I suspect it will have an interesting evolution well beyond that. 2022-2029
97 points Jeb Dunnuck

Fabulous rich nose. Pear and red apple. Beeswax. Plush and generous. Plenty of bright fresh ripe red fruits. Delicately creamy . Lifted gentle citrus. Polished and elegant. Greengage finish with a hint of lime zest. Now-2040+
Simon Quinn, VinQuinn

2020 Chateauneuf du Pape, Vin de la Solitude, Rouge

£120.00 per 3 Bot Case, in bond
£152.03 Duty & VAT paid

Only 3 cases available

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vin De La Solitude checks in as a kitchen sink blend of Counoise (24%), Grenache (22%), Syrah (20%), Mourvedre (19%), and splashes of Cinsault, Clairette, Clairette Rosé, Picpoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, and Roussanne, brought up entirely in older barrels. Its ruby/plum color is followed by an exotic bouquet of mulled strawberries, red cherries, spice box, dried flowers, and new leather, with a subtle, somewhat exotic character that's hard to place. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied beauty with terrific balance, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. This pure, complex, spicy, incredibly satisfying 2020 can be drunk today or cellared for 10-12 years. 2022-2034
95 points Jeb Dunnuck

Intensely spicy fruitcake. Lusciously mouthwatering fruit. Bursting with energy. Perfectly rounded with succulent red fruits and fine grained polished tannins, so fresh and lifted. Fragrant rose water perfume on finish. Now-2040
Simon Quinn, VinQuinn

2020 Chateauneuf du Pape, Cornelia Constanza

£290.00 per 6 Bot Case, in bond
£364.07 Duty & VAT paid

Only 1 case available

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cornelia Constanza (100% Grenache) is another singular expression of this incredible variety that shines on all accounts. Giving up a big bouquet of mulled red cherry and strawberry fruits as well as sappy flowers and garrigue, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a supple, pure, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and one heck of a great finish. Coming from more sandy soils, it shines for its finesse and elegance and is already hard to resist. It will keep for at least 10-12 years, and probably longer. 2022-2034
95 points Jeb Dunnuck

2020 Chateauneuf du Pape, Secrete

£250.00 per 3 Bot Case, in bond
£308.03 Duty & VAT paid

Only 2 cases available

Mulberry spice nose. Bright and energetic. Youthful exuberance. Racy acidity. Dusty tannins. Effortless and long tapering finish. Difficult to resist. Now-2040
Simon Quinn, VinQuinn

This cuvée is the quintessence of the Domaine de la Solitude terroirs and know-how, and is produced solely in exceptional years. The Grenache comes from the oldest parcel of the “Domaine de la Solitude”, situated on the western slope leading up to the “La Crau” plateau, on a terroir of Safres. The Syrah grapes are grown in the cool, Safres terroir of “Les Blachières”. This flavoursome cuvée with a richly smooth texture is aged for 18 months in barrels and vats, before being blended and left to age for a further year in foudre. This wine is the pinnacle of the domaine, the spirit of tradition married to modernity plus the knowledge built by all the generations over many centuries.

No review yet – scores for 2017 vintage – 97 Jeb Dunnuck; 95 Vinous; 97 Wine Enthusiast

Tasting with winemaker Florent Lançon