Red Wine Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf du Pape L’Avenue 2017. Decant 1 hour before serving. One of the Southern Rhone’s oldest estates, Chateau de Vaudieu was built by Admiral Gérin in 1767 and named after the nearby ‘Val de Dieu” or Valley of God”. Vaudieu was one of the first local estates to start exporting their wines abroad and for the past 50 years it has been owned by the Brechet family who have steadily expanded the property to 70 hectares of vineyards. L’Avenue is one of their flagship wines which is made in limited quantities from 100% Grenache grown on sandy and limestone soils. The vines used range from 40 to 70 years of age and the fruit is harvested by hand to ensure it arrives at the winery in great condition. This particular cuvee was created to showcase the Vaudieu terroir, so the young wine is aged in demi-muids which are larger than standard oak barrels to give muted oak influence. Enchanting floral notes, dark cherries, dried herbs and ripe berry notes dominate on the nose, while the first sip reveals a silky smooth texture, fine tannins, and a bright core of luscious fruit flavours. Powerful yet balanced, this is a great wine to match with everything from charcuterie to a prime steak or roasted meats. It can also be cellared for a decade or more if desired.
2017
Red Wine Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf du Pape L’Avenue 2017
Red Wine Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf Du Pape Val de Dieu 2017. Decant 1 hour before serving. Considered one of Chateauneuf du Pape’s most beautiful and historic estates, Chateau de Vaudieu was founded by Admiral Gérin who built the elegant manor house here in 1767. The property takes its name from the Val de Dieu” or Valley of God” which lies in the heart of the region. Over its long history Vaudieu has earned a reputation for producing exceptional wines and was one of the first producers here to start exporting wines. For the past half century the chateau has been owned by the Brechet family who have expanded the vineyard holdings to total 70 hectares. The Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre fruit used for this powerful red is sourced primarily from the Val de Dieu. The wide variety of soil types in the valley help to create a remarkably complex wine which showcases the excellence and multiplicity of Chateaneuf du Pape’s terroir. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in tanks before being aged in 600 litre and 228 litre oak barrels. This helps to create a rich, full bodied wine that is bursting with seductive dark fruit, sweet spice and bitter licorice notes. On the palate there are plenty of firm yet refined tannins, a well-built structure and a very long finish seasoned with dried herbs, baked earth and hints of woodsmoke.
2017
Red Wine Chateau Haut Bailly La Parde Haut Bailly 2017. It may benefit from decanting. Owned by American banker Robert Wilmers, Château Haut-Bailly is Classified Growth of the Pessac-Léognan appellation in the Bordeaux region. One of its peculiarities is to produce only red wines, whereas in the Pessac Léognan appellation its illustrious neighbors, Carbonnieux, La Louvière, Malartic Lagravière, produce both red and whites. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grapes are grown over 28 hectares of vineyards, producing racy, elegant, and very supple wines that represent the perfect balance between finesse and concentration. From young plots of Château Haut-Bailly, La Parde Haut-Bailly is the second wine of the Château, made from a blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 65% Merlot. The color of the wine is purplish. The perfume is of good intensity with fruity and spicy aromas, notes of eucalyptus and raspberries. On the palate, it is tasty, lively and juicy. The wine has a good aromatic intensity which is perfectly supported by the structure. The tannins are compact and well integrated. They resist the acid structure and offer a good aging potential to this wine. The finish is fresh and persistent. It shows excellent aging potential for a second wine. It will be perfect with a grilled lamb or duck.
2017