Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine de la Solitude Red

Chateauneuf-du-Pape is by far the biggest and most important specific Rhone appellation that covers 7,400 acres of vines. Small crops are mandatory. Concentration is the very essence of this wine. Its vines grow in what looks like a shingle beach of big, smooth, oval stones that often cover the whole surface of the vineyard. Each vine is an individual bush.

The Solitude Estate belongs to one of the oldest families in Chateauneuf du Pape. The Lancon family makes their wines with a very short maceration time and therefore their style of Chateauneuf is ready to drink much younger than the traditional tough wine. Their 100 acres are planted in a simplified mixture of Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Syrah. The family also owns 100 acres of vineyards at Sabran in the Cotes du Rhone.

60% of La Solitude's production is exported to the USA, Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and recently to Asia

Grape Varieties: Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre & Syrah

Note: The grapes are compulsory sorted at harvest. Each picker has 2 buckets and whilst picking sorts the grapes harvested under the strict supervision of the head picker. A minimum of 5% of grapes are discarded (these are used to make table wine) but often this can be as much as 10-20%.

Winemaking: Depending on the vintage, the grapes are either crushed or not and vinified in temperature controlled vats; part carbonic maceration takes place. Aged for 6 months in new oak barrels, the wine is racked, filtered and blended.

Serve: At room temperature with grilled and roast red meats and cheese.

Tasting Notes: Ripe Morello cherries complemented by vanilla and spice, a big wine but retaining this estate's characteristic elegance and showing a modern style of winemaking.