I have become recently fascinated with a few CDP’s that seem to be a bit under the radar. La Bastide Saint-Dominique for instance. Had their Secrets de Pignan recently. Fortunately I was able to get my hands on several more bottles. The 2010 is drinking very well right now. Really gorgeous CDP. A floral nose, with some spice. Excellent dark berries on the palate, which was silky and dense. Some nice funky elements, and some truffle. Decent volume, creamy, very sensuous, with a long finish. We felt the wine possessed some mystery. It was a rather profound wine. One of my friends is a Grenache freak, and he was bowled over by all the nuance of flavors and aromas. I was too. I do not appear to be alone in my appreciation of this wine:
95 points Jeb Dunnuck
A gorgeous bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2010 Les Secrets de Pignan, 100% Grenache from the famed Pignan lieu-dit, was aged for 18 months in tank. It exhibits perfumed, pure aromas of black cherries, garrigue, underbrush, and spice, with an almost liquid floral component that comes through with air. Full-bodied, rich, creamy, and voluptuous, yet also elegant and seamless, with solid underlying structure, it is a knockout 2010 that will shine for 12-15 years. (9/2012)
95 points Wine Advocate
The blockbuster 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Secrets de Pignan Vieilles Vignes is a great buy in the marketplace as prices for this estate have not yet gone through the roof as they have for other old vine cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape. Nearly as good as the 2007, the 2010 exhibits copious quantities of black raspberries, black cherries, forest floor, licorice, pepper and bouquet garni. Terrific structure, a full-bodied mouthfeel and good freshness and liveliness make for a fabulous wine to enjoy over the next 15+ years. (RP) !(10/2012)
I think it’s, obviously not forgotten, but has fallen from grace and now provides really interesting exploration and value. So much conversation is on Roti and SJ.
As someone who used to drink a lot of cdp and have replaced it almost entirely with N Rhone, I’m enthused by the note.
Any producers that are returning to the style of say the 1990s while still coping with the higher average temperatures? We discussed this tangentially in a charvin thread but would love more suggestions.
Yes, I find the freshness of the great Southern Rhone wines, and the silky, fine tannins to be delightful. Alot of my friends love the big Hermitage and Cote Roties. I do not. While they are impressive, I find them to be a bit austere. Just not that fond of 100% syrah (unless it is Aussie style, and McLaren Vale). They say it is the mystery that grabs them. Though I love a mysterious and profound wine, perhaps I do not need as much mystery as they do! LOL.
For me, the really excellent CDP’s, like Saint Prefert (now Ferrando), Henri Bonneau (Cuvée Marie Beurrier is astounding, if you can find it!), Clos Saint Jean (especially the Deus Ex Machina), Janasse Vielles Vignes, Beaucastel (Hommage), Charvin, Le Clos de Caillou, Sabon, Pegau (the Cuvee Reservee and Cuvee Laurence are great, the Capo is way over priced now), Mordoree, Olivier Hillaire (if you can find any of their Les Petits Pieds d’Armand) Usseglio (Le part de Anges, or Cuvee de Mon Aieul), and so many others, are so much fun.
And Gigondas. Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades is a great example. The 2010 is stunning. So much complexity, personality and depth. And the QPR is off the charts. And Domaine Gour de Chaule, Santa Duc, and many others. Just visited the region. They are really stepping up their game.
This list will not provide what Faryan was asking, which was are there any wines using only pre-21st century, traditional methods, and handling the higher alcohol rates. My list to this question is mostly the same: Charvin, Ferrand, Bois de Boursan, Eddie Feraud et Fils, Pegau (Rayas,of course, but who can afford it anymore). This list is absolutely not exhaustive. They are wines I know and follow.
My Northern Rhone wine friends seem to be locked into Hermitage and Cote Rotie, and only the top few producers. Especially Guigal, who I have never been a big fan of. They have no interest in Cornas, or Saint Joseph, or Crozes Hermitage. Are they missing out?
Think it depends a little what they like about Hermitage and Cote Rotie and Guigal, but probably worth a look.
When someone tells me they like Guigal, rightly or wrongly I assume that they like a bigger, modern style of Syrah that is going to be very consistent year in and year out.
So that would make me want to recommend on the of the more modern established houses in those areas.
Another thought is that these are big area. St. Jo for example is, at least in my mind, kinda two different regions, the north and south. With difference in soil and style. However, St. Jo is also mostly granite, like the Hermitage so that could be a good fit. It is eastern facing as opposed to Hermitage’s southern facing, so historically less ripe, but things have warmed up so maybe that difference will be less noticeable to them
That’s all you’ll get from me. I’m an old man and I stick to producers I know. I frequently run into new wines at tasting Caveaus in the area. They don’t always get to the states. I limit my buying here to shrink my cellar. If you want new ones, you need to go to a younger enthusiast. To the extent that its an excuse, no ones discussed on this thread are ones people haven’t heard of for 20 years.
