The 2017 Domaine de Saint-Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a standout wine from the Southern Rhône region of France. This red wine, sealed with a cork closure and boasting an alcohol content of 15%, is a proprietary blend primarily composed of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, sourced from the oldest vines in the domaine.
The wine has garnered significant praise from professional reviewers, showcasing its prowess and potential. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a score of 97, describing it as "full-bodied, richly concentrated and velvety-textured," with "seductive notes of dried spices and cola" and a "lush and long" finish that hints at clove, allspice, and star anise. Reviewer JC notes that it is "nearly approachable now" but suggests it will "cellar well through 2035."
Wine Spectator also commended the wine with a score of 95, highlighting its "dark plum, blackberry and boysenberry compote flavors" and "lively bramble, anise and fruitcake notes." The review emphasizes its "grippy, tar-edged finish" and recommends cellaring it until 2023 for maximum effect. This wine is part of a limited production, with only 1,000 cases made and 200 cases imported.
Jeb Dunnuck, in a glowing review, awarded the wine a perfect score of 100. He describes it as having "heavenly notes of blackberry and currant fruits" with "loads of cured meats, spice box, Asian spices, and a distinct loamy soil and minerality." Dunnuck praises its "full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish," labeling it "pure perfection in a glass."
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider echoes this sentiment, scoring it 98 and calling it "luscious, peppery, fresh, sweet ripe dark, pure red berries." He highlights its "juicy, fresh and intense" nature, noting its "length, purity, and energy," and concludes that it is "one of the wines of the vintage."
Wine Enthusiast also rates the wine at 95, praising its "sun-kissed cherry and raspberry flavors" and "fresh acidity." The reviewer, Anna Lee C. Iijima, notes that it is "opulent but not at all dense or weighty," making it an immediately enjoyable wine that will continue to improve through 2027 and beyond.
In summary, the 2017 Domaine de Saint-Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a highly acclaimed wine with a robust flavor profile and excellent aging potential. It is a remarkable representation of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation and a testament to the skill of winemaker Isabelle Ferrando.