Tasting Notes

ABV:

15 %

Notes

A blend of two complete opposites – 100 year old Grenache from Grand Pierre/ Rayas, Palestor and Terres Blanches plots and young Syrah from the Cabrieres area. Unripe grapes are de-stalked though for most of the old Grenache they are included in the fermentation, which happens in concrete tanks. Extraction is long slow and gentle, lasting up to four weeks. After ageing in concrete for the Grenache and 600 litre used oak barrels for the Syrah during a period of 18 months, the two are blended together to form the most beautiful of partnerships. Seamless, haunting and complex without at any stage being too much, the Fiancée is a fusion of dark fruits, savoury and spice notes with the most glossy of textures. Composed yet intense, offering flavours of cassis, cherry, kirsch, sage and garrigue. There are no hard edges here, being neither too sweet nor too savoury, too powerful nor too delicate. You can sense the freshness playing a key support role to the ripe fruit, rather than an overly intrusive one. “Harmony” would have been an equally fitting name for this Cuvée. Seductive and smooth enough to be enjoyed young, yet with the sheer drive, depth and balance to age beautifully this is a truly great Châteauneuf du Pape.

Critics score

Score:

100

Source:

Josh Raynolds, Vinous

Date:

12/2019

Notes

Opaque ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet features scents of ripe dark berries, incense, licorice and smoky minerals. Juicy, alluringly sweet black raspberry, blueberry and candied lavender flavors become fleshier and deeper with air while maintaining urgency. Seamless and penetrating on the strikingly long finish, which shows excellent clarity and fine-grained tannins that come in slowly.

specifications

country:

region:

Appellation:

Producer:

style:

Grape Variety:

Allergen Information:

This product may contain sulphites. Full allergen information is available upon request, please call our Customer Relations Team on +44 (0)20 7484 6430.