Country: France, Rhone

AWARDS
Robert Parker: 95/100
Wine Spectator: 94/100

95 points Robert Parker`s Wine Advocate Outer quote mark
The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (about 97% Grenache) was entirely destemmed. According to Sophie Armenier, its alcohol level is a whopping 16+%, but it was completely concealed by the wine`s intricate spice complexities. Liquorice, cola, cinnamon, clove and allspice all interweave with cherries to form a silky web that glides across the palate and into a long, long finish. (JC) Inner quote mark (10/2017)

Vieilles Vignes cuvée comes from two plots:
1) Charbonnières: 2.32 ha planted with Grenache, but with a few other vines, including some Mourvèdre.
It is located on the northern foothill of La Crau Plateau. According to the vineyard registry, the year of planting was 1900.
2) Les Esqueirons: this 1.13 ha plot is behind the castle, on the west slope of the village hill, in the locality of Les Esqueirons.
Both plots are harvested at the same time.
The crop is first sorted at the vine, then taken to the cellar in 50 kg crates. It proceeds onto the sorting table, before being destemmed and crushed. No yeasts are added; we work with native yeasts.
Maceration, with temperature control and daily pumping-over, lasts at least four weeks before pressing. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked off and then matured, generally in concrete vats.

Tasting Notes: It offers lovely notes of black fruits, truffle oil, roasted meats, beef blood, black raspberries, abundant kirsch, and a hint of roasted Provencal herbs. On a much faster evolutionary track than 2007, it is a layered, multi-dimensional effort displaying a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds.