The 2016 Chateau de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Val de Dieu is a notable red wine from the Southern Rhone of France. This proprietary blend primarily consists of 64% Grenache, 28% Syrah, and 8% Mourvèdre. The wine is characterized by its rich, full-bodied profile and an alcohol content of 15%.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine a score of 95+, praising it as "a great vintage for this cuvée" and highlighted its notes of garrigue, saddle leather, graphite, and sweet red and black fruits. He commended its "remarkable elegance and purity," suggesting it will benefit from short-term cellaring and shine for a decade or more. Wine Spectator echoed this sentiment with another excellent score of 95, describing the wine as "a beauty" with a lush feel, seamless acidity, and hints of anise, black tea, and lavender. They recommended enjoying it from 2020 through 2040.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 94, noted the wine's full-bodied and plush nature, pointing out its lush mouthful of ripe raspberries and vanilla that leads to a lingering, slightly charred finish. Meanwhile, Jeff Leve gave it an outstanding score of 97, emphasizing its richness, density, and complexity, noting that its "purity, elegance, length, and complexity" will improve as the tannins soften over time.
Wine Enthusiast's review, scored at 96, described the wine as "bombastic" with fragrances of vanilla, smoke, and violet that complement bold blackberry and plum flavors. The review noted its rich texture and a lingering finish with hints of Bourbon and coffee, suggesting it will gain elegance from 2021 onward and improve through 2040.
Overall, the 2016 Cuvee Val de Dieu is celebrated for its complexity, depth, and potential for aging, marking it as a standout in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.