Cuvee du Vatican, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France

梵蒂岡莊園教皇新堡紅葡萄酒

點擊次數(shù)：2189

In contrast to the open, round, gorgeously fruity 2007, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape is a more unyielding, tannic, earthy, spicy, austere, backward wine. It should evolve for a decade or more. Cuvee du Vatican’s two cuvees of red wine include a traditional cuvee, which is usually a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault, aged in foudre (40%), tank (30%), and used small barrels (30%). The more limited production luxury offering, the Reserve Sixtine (50% Grenache, 28% Syrah, and 22% Mourvedre), is aged 70% in one, two, and three-year-old barrels and 30% in tank. The fruit comes from their three major holdings in La Crau (clay and rocky soils), the Rayas terroir (pure sand), and the Barbe d’Asne (clay soils). Young Jean-Marc Diffonty, who has been doing a fabulous job here for more than a decade, is clearly raising the quality of the wines to a new level that clearly transcends the work his father did in the 1960s and 1970s.Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape from Cuvee du Vatican is tired and on a downward slope, with a kiss oxidation and dry tannin. It’s best drunk up ASAP.