2015 Domaine Durieu Châteauneuf du Pape
$52.95 btl / $317.70 cs (case of 6 x 750ml)
Domaine Durieu is fast becoming one of the stars of Châteauneuf du Pape and with very impressive Parker reviews year over year this wine is without doubt an absolute bargain for the cellar. The 2015 vintage out of France’s Southern Rhône Valley was excellent. The weather was hot and dry and Grenache and Mourvèdre both ripened well and quality is great. This is a very serious vintage that produced ripe and powerful wines.
The 2015 Domaine Durieu Châteauneuf du Pape is ripe and broad on the nose, displaying red fruit and floral scents with hints of white pepper. Fleshy, broad and warm on the palate, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors. Shows the ripeness of the vintage and has a long finish with good breadth. Only 2,000 cases were produced for world-wide distribution.
Domaine Durieu began in the 1970s when Paul Durieu inherited a few hectares of vines from his mother, Lucille Avril, land which had been in the family since the 1500s. The vinyards have some very old vines of Grenache, some of which were planted over a hundred years ago. Paul built the winery and gradually expanded the family estate to their current 37 hectares in Châteauneuf du Pape, adding another 68 hectares in the Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Ventoux.
Today, Domaine Durieu is one of the most well-regarded in the region and has received many accolades. Since Paul’s retirement in 2004, the younger generation has taken over operations at Durieu, with son Vincent in charge of winemaking. Vincent, only in his 20s, has already been regarded as an upcoming superstar winemaker by top critics.
Price: Case of 6 at $317.70 ($52.95 per bottle)
Drink: Now or over the next 10 years
Varietal/Body: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 3% Cinsault and 2% Counoise, Full-body
Vinification: 30 days maceration, aged in concrete tank for 18 months, bottling without fining and filtration.
Reviews: “The reds from barrel include the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape, which should end up being an outstanding wine. Offering textbook notes of black raspberries, roasted garrigue and tapenade, it’s full-bodied, upfront and soft, with tons of fruit and charm. It should drink nicely right out of the gate. I’ve had numerous splendid bottles from this estate over the past decade and I continue to love the wines from the young Vincent Durieu.”– Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Oct 28, 2016
Food Pairing: Grilled steak with a dollop of herb butter, rack of lamb, duck confit, garlic or smoked sausage