Description

Description

This is how Châteauneuf-du-Pape should be: intense, perfumed and spicy. Cuvée Sommeliers is a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. The wine is aged for 18 months in enormous oak barrelsDelicious with grilled meat or stews.

Grape

A widely planted red variety that produces supple, juicy, full bodied wines with high alcohol, low acidity and soft tannins. Grenache has pronounced strawberry, raspberry and spicy white pepper character. Grenache is blended with a variety of grapes including Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Tempranillo – usually with the aim to add in a bit more acidity.

Producer

When Jacques Mestre retired in 1998, his domaine was split into two parts. His son Christophe inherited the domaine name, cellars and buildings, while daughter, Christine Estoulle created a separate domaine ‘Les Moulins des Saints’ with her land. It is Christophe who makes Cuvée Sommeliers. His vineyard consists of 11 hectares of vines, of which 1.5 hectares are of white varieties

Region

Châteauneuf-du-Pape was the first ever Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée established in France in 1932. The gloriously rich red wines, redolent of the heat and herbs of the south are enhanced by the complexity which comes from blending several grape varieties including Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault, Vaccarese, Counoise, Teret Noir, Muscadin, Picpoul Noir, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Rousanne, Picpoul Gris and Picardin. White Châteauneuf-du-Pape is becoming increasingly sought-after, even though it represents less than 10 percent of the total production. Five white grapes are permitted: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Picardin.

Food Pairing

Grenache Blends vary from blend to blend, but tend to be fairly full bodied and spicy. These robust wines can work with red meat, game or hard cheeses.