Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge 2017
Château Mont-Redon
Terroir: Château Mont-Redon owns 100 hectares of the most perfectly-sited vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
More than half of their vineyards are planted on “diluvium alpin” soil on the highest Mistral (dry southern winds) blown plateaus of the appellation at elevations above 500 feet. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for it’s “galet’s” or round, heat absorbing pebbles that have been shaped and polished over thousands of years by the Rhône River and spread over time along the appellations highest plains. In some portions of the vineyard this layer can exceed 2 meters in depth forcing the vines roots deep in search of the layer of red clay that lies beneath. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grown in these conditions produce wines that are generous, powerful, tannic and concentrated.
The remaining vineyards sit in two distinct soils, the first being primarily sand that was created when the Rhône River shifted course bringing with it the smallest parts of the soil, which broke into smaller pieces still (sand). These soils increases the aromatic character of Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre.
Urgonian Limestone soils make up the remaining vineyards. Soils here are shallower and give excellent results with the white varieties, rich with aromas of white and citrus fruits.
Vinification: Grapes are selected and harvested by hand and transported to the winery in small containers. Bunches are destemmed and vinified in temperature controlled tanks with frequent punch down using the “pigeage” technique to extract the finest tannins from the skins. Each varietal is vinified separately. Following fermentation, 50% of the wine is aged in small oak barrels in the cellars for 12 months with the remainder remaining in cask. The wines are then blended and aged an additional 4 months prior to bottling.
Additional Information
Intense nose with red fruit aromas combined with complex smokiness. Tight and focused tannins on the palate. Enjoyable now but requires a few years of bottle maturation to fully integrate aging notes. Very elegant and refined finish.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Winemaker: Pierre Fabre
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Large stones, sand, red clay
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Pack Size: 12/375ml, 12/750ml
- Varietals: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Cinsault
Recent Press
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Score: 95 Points
Wine Enthusiast Author: Anna Lee C. Iijima
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021"Delicately whiffs of sun-scorched sage and thyme lend a sultry flair to ripe, lush black cherry and berry. A blend of primarily Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre matured in a small proportion of new oak, it's an intensely ripe, powerful red anchored by fresh mineral tones and firm, structured tannins. At peak now–2030 but likely to hold further still." -
The Wine Advocate Author: Joe Czerwinski
Date: Friday, August 30, 2019"Mont Redon's 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape—slated to be bottled the week after my visit—is a blend of 57% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre and the rest other varieties. Approximately half was aged in tank, the other half in wood. Hints of pencil shavings accent concentrated cherry fruit on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and supple, ending with suggestions of silk and citrus zest. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes."Grade: 89-91 points
