Description
Regarded as the leading domaine for traditionally styled, age-worthy Châteauneuf-du-Pape in this large and prestigious appellation. Now run by Laurence Feraud who also makes the wines, Pegau’s vineyards consist of 11 parcels totaling 19 hectares among Châteauneuf’s best ‘terroirs’ including in ‘La Crau’. For winemaking the grapes are lightly crushed and tipped into the vats (no de-stemming). The maceration and initial alcoholic fermentation last 15 days before the juice is run off and the must is pressed. The wine is then aged for a minimum of 18 months in old oak ‘foudres’ (large oval barrels), which are assembled together before bottling (without filtration) to obtain the uniform quality of the largest Cuvee called ‘Cuvée Réservée’. In 1998 a special cuvee was created called ‘Cuvee du Capo’. Released only in the best vintages, mostly from a vineyard in the eastern sector of Châteauneuf at ‘La Crau’. Even though all thirteen authorized varietals are included in the blend, it is essentially 95% Grenache from very old vines producing around 6,000 bottles. The ‘Cuvée Laurence’ is produced in very good years when da Capo is not. Aged up to 36 months in a mixture of large foudres and small oak barrels (none new) this deeply rich cuvee cellars wonderfully and is a reminder of how great Chateauneuf was produced using extended elevage in the not-so-distant past.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck, RobertParker.com, October 2014. “One of my favorite wines, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic. Beautiful on the nose, with notions of ground pepper, wild herbs, minerality and smoked plum and dark fruit, it’s medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and has plenty of tannin that comes through on the finish. Similar in style to a lighter-weight 2010, drink this beauty anytime over the coming 12-15 years.”
93 points, Wine Spectator – “A dark, alluring style, with tobacco, chestnut and alder notes surrounding a core of blackberry, plum and cherry fruit. Lots of garrigue details line the finish. Best from 2016 through 2023.”
93 points, Vinous/Antonio Galloni – “Opaque ruby. Heady aromas of black and blue fruits, potpourri and Indian spices, with a smoky element emerging with air. Taut and sharply focused on entry, then fleshier and broader in the mid-palate, offering vibrant boysenberry and black raspberry flavors with hints of candied violet, smoked meat and licorice. Finishes spicy and long, with repeating florality and slow-building tannins.”
RRP $176
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