On Sale: $89.94 (was: $99.94)*
Brothers Sebastien and Christophe Jaume are undoubtedly one of the great power duos of the Southern Rhone, and long-time buyers of Grand Veneur’s Chateauneuf du Pape know these are some of the most exciting and full throttle wines of the AOC. Their Vieilles Vignes is right “up with the crème de la crème of the vintage” (Dunnuck) in 2018, and shows a more charming and user friendly profile than some more structured years.
Like their neighbors at Beaucastel, just a couple miles up the road, Grand Veneur finds the perfect balance between richness and complexity in a way few others can, and in particular this 2018 really delivers - "it's just a thrill to drink today," says noted Rhone critic, Jeb Dunnuck.
The Jaume brothers have done wonders with this nearly 200 year old estate, elevating their estate wines while also building a quite impressive negociant business under a separate label. All of their estate-grown Grand Veneur wines are “brilliant examples of their impeccable viticulture and winemaking” (Wine Advocate), and the Vieilles Vignes is a killer wine with a track record for excellence (notably earning 100pt ratings in 2010 and 2016).
With a clutch of exceptional estate-grown vines in the northernmost sector of Chateauneuf du Pape, Grand Veneur has some impressive 60-110+ year old vines to work with for the Vieilles Vignes. This continues to be “one of the Southern Rhône's most important addresses” (Wine Advocate), and the 2018 is a stunning example of the vintage. Cheers!
96 points, Jeb Dunnuck: "Up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a bigger, richer wine than the Les Origines cuvée and has a beautiful core of smoked black fruits, candied violets, peppery garrigue, and scorched earth-like aromas and flavors. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it’s flawlessly balanced and has terrific tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a great finish. It certainly shows the more front end-loaded, fleshy, mildly concentrated style of the 2018 vintage, yet the balance is top-notch, and it’s just a thrill to drink today. It should evolve nicely for 10-15 years."
94 points, Vinous: "Expansive, oak-spiced cherry and blackberry scents are complemented by suggestions of candied violet, licorice and mocha. Lush and weighty on the palate, offering ripe red and dark berry flavors and hints of fruitcake and cola. Shows serious power and spicy lift on a long, gently tannic finish that echoes the cherry and licorice notes."
*Offer publication date December 17, 2021. Pricing and availability subject to change.