Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Rhône > Southern Rhône > Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
Deeper colored, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin comes mostly from the Chaupoin lieu-dit yet always has small parts from La Janasse and a sandy part of the La Crau lieu-dit. Blackberries, ground herbs, graphite, and new leather notes all emerge from this concentrated, rich, powerful wine that stays tight, focused, and elegant on the palate. It's a killer wine, but it's going to need time.
The all-Grenache 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is sourced from sandy soils and ages in a combination of foudres and demi-muids. It shows more structure than the regular cuvée, supporting the ripe raspberry and blackberry fruit with bright acids and velvety tannins. Full-bodied and rich, it's long, picking up hints of licorice on the finish.
The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin (100% Grenache) comes from the northern part of the appellation, mostly from the lieu-dit of the same name. A small part comes from the La Janasse lieu-dit as well as La Crau (this cuvée gets the sandy part of their vines in La Crau). It’s a beautiful, elegant barrel sample that has classic notes of black raspberries, kirsch, pepper, and some crushed rocks. Only partially destemmed and brought up in a mix of foudre and demi-muids, mostly neutral, it’s full-bodied, has remarkable purity, a decidedly floral character, and a great finish.
A tank sample of the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin (Grenache) showed terrific concentration, crisp acids and firm tannins. It lacks the prettiness and charm of the 2016, but it should still turn out excellent.