The 2016 Domaine de Saint-Prefert Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a notable example of a proprietary blend from the Southern Rhone region of France. Comprising 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, this wine showcases the traditional varietals of Chateauneuf du Pape. With an alcohol content of 15.0%, it strikes a balance between intensity and elegance.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine an impressive score of 99, highlighting its complexity and longevity. Joe Czerwinski describes it as having "a hint of cocoa, but raspberries and strawberries are the dominant fruit flavors in this lively, zesty wine." He notes additional layers of "mint, lavender and tea leaf," and praises its "full-bodied and velvety" texture. Czerwinski foresees the wine aging well for "two decades or more," making it a promising long-term investment.
Jeb Dunnuck, who gave the wine a perfect score of 100, emphasizes its exceptional quality within the vintage. He notes its "sensational nose of currants, cured meats, kirsch, exotic spices, and sandalwood," and describes it as "deep, full-bodied and powerful, yet with an incredible sense of elegance and purity." Dunnuck recommends aging it for "2-3 years," and anticipates it will remain exquisite for "two decades or more."
Wine Spectator also scored the wine at 99, with JM highlighting its "large core of well-steeped plum, blackberry puree and warm cassis flavors." The review mentions additional notes of "ganache, graphite and Turkish coffee," and praises its "racy acidity for balancing focus." JM suggests it will be best enjoyed from 2020 through 2040.
Decanter gave the wine a score of 96, noting its "fresh, lifted violets and blueberries with a touch of liquorice on the nose." The review describes the wine as "medium to full-bodied," with a "concentrated juice that is very precisely tailored." Decanter appreciates its balance and predicts it will be a "really good wine, generous in fruit but structured."
Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com also awarded it a perfect score of 100, emphasizing its "purity of fruit, sensuous, sexy, velvet textures, and expansive layers of fruit in the finish." He notes that the wine invites repeated exploration due to its depth of flavor.
Lastly, Wine Enthusiast gave it a score of 96, calling it the "hedonistic favorite" among the producer's 2016 offerings. Anna Lee C. Iijima highlights its "pristine mulberry and plum flavors" and "creamy, voluminous palate," noting its "flamboyant and explosively fruity" style. She suggests it is ready to drink now but will improve through 2026 and hold further.
In summary, the 2016 Domaine de Saint-Prefert Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its complexity, balance, and aging potential. With scores ranging from 96 to 100, it stands out as a remarkable representation of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation.
