The 2022 Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance is a proprietary blend from the renowned Southern Rhone region of France. This red wine, produced by Domaine de Cristia, features a mix of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre. It has received high praise from multiple professional reviewers, reflecting its exceptional quality and complexity.
Decanter awarded this wine a score of 96, noting its "captivating and complex display" with aromas of "leaf tea, menthol, and pine resin." The review highlights the wine's "dense and intensely solid" structure, featuring "fine, bold tannins" and "deep-set" acidity that leads to a "long finish." The wine's maturation process includes two-thirds aged in demi-muid and the rest in barrique, with one-third new oak, which is "very well integrated."
Jeb Dunnuck also scored the wine at 96, describing it as having a "deep ruby/plum hue" and an "exotic bouquet" of "wild strawberries, Provençal garrigue, pot roast, and spicy, meaty nuances." He notes that the wine is "full-bodied, concentrated, [and] lively," with "fine tannins and outstanding length." Dunnuck suggests that while the wine will benefit from some bottle age, it is already a "beautiful, exotic wine."
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate provided a slightly lower score of 93 but still praised the wine, describing it as having "ethereal notions of garrigue and red raspberries." This review mentions that the wine is "just medium to full-bodied" and is characterized by "silky tannins and crisp, mouthwatering acids on the finish."
Vinous gave the wine a score of 94, calling it "towering" and noting its blend of "prominent orange rind, crushed violet, strawberry and melted licorice alongside herbal aromas." The review states that the wine is "full-bodied and concentrated," with no "rough edges," and culminates in a "refined finale." Nicolas Greinacher of Vinous lauds the wine's "outstanding purity and remarkable elegance."
Overall, the 2022 Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance is a critically acclaimed wine, praised for its complex aromas, solid structure, and refined finish. It is a blend that showcases the best of Grenache and Mourvèdre, making it a notable choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.