------  Dégustation Octobre 2013  ------

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR VIEILLES VIGNES RED 2012

40-50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre (co-fermented), 10-20% Syrah mainly from Boilauzon, plus some Cabrières, destemmed, aged 50% new, 50% 1-year oak casks 12 months, assembled after ageing, unfined, filtered, first wine 2006, 3,000 b

(Casks) rather dark red. The nose is very promising, has proper depth of stylish fruit,is really close-knit. The palate is seamlessly sustained, builds peppery notes, is full without excess, its horizon promising. The smooth texture wraps around its compact assembly of berry fruit in great fashion. The nose and palate are in unison here; it covers the ground with fluid, serene depth, has lots in it. From 2017, say. £465 12 bin bond H2Vin GB www.h2vin.co.uk 2031-33 Nov 2013

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR Les origines RED 2012

50-55% Grenache (1950s-1960s), 25-30% Mourvèdre (mid-1970s-1980s), 15-20% Syrah (mid-1970s-1980s), 5% diverse – Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Cinsault etc from Boilauzon, destemmed, 3 week vinification, cap punching, Grenache concrete vat raised, Syrah/Mourvèdre aged new-4 year oak casks 18 months, unfined, filtered,first wine 1997, 20,000 b

Bright red; interesting blackberry, cassis bud, licorice air with an appealing little sweet come hither. Has a nutty youthfulness, work in progress signals. The debut brings forward sleek, decisive black berry fruit with “shiny”, clipped tannins attached. Cellar over vineyard here, has definite strength of matter. The aftertaste is broad, sustained, glowing. Urban-metropolitan drinkers will like its attacking, busy style, clean fruit. From 2016. £265 12 b in bond H2Vin GB www.h2vin.co.uk 2028-29 Nov 2013

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR  RED 2012 ()

65-70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% diverse – Cinsault, Muscardin, Vaccarèse etc, mainly from Cabrières and Boilauzon, destemmed, 18-20 day vinification, cap punching, aged 70%vat, 30% new-5 year oak casks 15-18 months, unfined, filtered, 25-30,000 b

Clear, bright red. Smoky bacon, licorice – a free styling in the nose that has reserves of attractive red fruit, is wide and assured. The palate holds bustling red fruit that has plenty of drive in it. It pushes on with vigour. The fruit is clear, and doesn’t show much spice immediately, although the finish leans that way as crunchy tannins take up residence. This doesn’t aim for finesse, more for active, busy drinking. The finish needs to refine itself. 15°. From 2016. £180 12 b i n bond H2Vin GBwww.h2vin.co.uk 2026-28 Nov 2013

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR  White 2012

60-65% Clairette (mid-1960s), 30-40% Roussanne (early 1960s), 0-10% Grenache blanc, from Cabrières, a north facing site, steel vat fermented at 18°, assembled after vinification, raised 6-8 months, malo blocked, 4,500 b

Flinty yellow; the bouquet offers immediately fresh, zingy greengage plum, low-key pear, pear skin, fennel airs. There are nut and citrus tones which resemble an accent on the Clairette (tasted blind). Decant this to coax out more. The palate gras is comfortable, the flavour a ripe peach with light white strawberry. Its serenity is attractive, a centred on a good, winning roundness and stroking texture to boost it. Good balance, a fine, STGT wine with a genuine Clairette heart which really does the job. It is a good example of the finesse and calm depth of the Clairette. 14°. 2021-22 Nov 2013

------  Dégustation du 12 decembre 2012  ------

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR RED 2011 ()

Dark. Loganberry, darker berry jam, fruit paste aroma – a wide and rather succulent nose that is open and pleasing. Soaked, textured black fruits show well now on the palate, are soft and supple. A little tannin builds into the late stage, provides a licorice, chocolate furnishing. The vigour of the tannin will be more integrated from late 2013, but it can be drunk now with a rib of beef, for instance, food which will take care of its active finish. Go-go Châteauneuf, suited to the restaurant trade. 15°. 2020-22 Dec 2012 

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR  "les Origines" RED 2011 ()

50-55% Grenache (1950s-1960s), 25-30% Mourvèdre (mid-1970s-1980s), 15-20% Syrah (mid-1970s-1980s), 5% diverse – Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Cinsault etc from Boilauzon, destemmed, 3 week vinification, cap punching, Grenache concrete vat raised, Syrah/Mourvèdre aged new-4 year oak casks 18 months, unfined, filtered, first wine 1997, 20,000 b 

Dark red, prune colour. Sweet blackberry liqueur front aroma, an air of damp, dark soil beyond. The palate is easy going, holds supple black berry fruit, with a touch of mint and tar. 2011 fine grain tannins follow after a slight pause. The finish is clear. Drink from late 2014 in order to allow it to fuse properly. Clear drinking here – an early style, agreeable Châteauenuf-du-Pape. 15°. 2022-24 Dec 2012

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR ''Vieilles Vignes"  RED 2011 ()

40-50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre (co-fermented), 10-20% Syrah mainly from Boilauzon, plus some Cabrières, destemmed, aged 50% new, 50% 1-year oak casks 12 months, assembled after ageing, unfined, filtered, first wine 2006

Dark colour; blackberry aroma with an air of dates pressed in alongside – this is sweet-noted, gives a pastille effect, has iris flowers in it, too. It is easy to appreciate, a sleek, modern, stylish start. The palate holds excellent fruit that runs well, has kick. Its tannins move round freely, and a minted finale comes forward. Its dark fruit is tasty, darkens on the finish, where tar and char from its oak enter. It is all very much together, a bundle of harmony, and will gain local attributes as it ages. From 2015. 15°. 2024-26 Dec 2012

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR White 2011 

60-65% Clairette (mid-1960s), 30-40% Roussanne (early 1960s), 0-10% Grenache blanc, from Cabrières, a north facing site, steel vat fermented at 18°, assembled after vinification, raised 6-8 months, malo blocked, 4,500 b 

Pale robe. Lemon, verbena, mint tea aroma with greengage plum and pineapple behind – this is a good, serene bouquet. The palate is close-knit, but nor firm. This needs coaxing out, so decant it, while time will allow more to be revealed. A wine for food. The nose is appealing on its fresh dance with sound substance, while the palate is based on white fruit, peach and apricot. It ends on a light note of aniseed. There is a mild sweetness; elegant and pure wine here. 14°. 2020-21 Dec 2012

CÔTES DU RHÔNE RÉSERVE GRAND VENEUR RED 2011 

60-65% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 2.5-10% Cinsault, 2.5% Mourvèdre, destemmed, 15 day vinification, cap punching, steel vat raised 6-10 months, unfined, filtered, 100,000 b

Dark red. Oily aroma, game hints in its reduction, animal hide. There are baked airs here, with blackberry fruit present. There is a robust strike of blackberry fruit on the palate, which is mildly textured and pretty thorough. Plenty of drive here, even if it is a bit wild. It gives vigorous drinking, and the tannins need to absorb further. From late 2013. 14.5°. Decant this. 65% G, 30% Syr, 2.5%M, 2.5% Cins this year. 2018-19 Dec 2012

CÔTES DU RHÔNE "les Champauvins"  RED 2011 

70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, from two plots just outside the north-east of Châteauneuf zone, clay-limestone, stony soil, destemmed, 15 day vinification, cap punching, aged 85% vat, 15% 4-year oak casks 12 months, unfined, filtered, first wine 2005

Dark robe. The nose is stubborn – there is not much definition, and it presents a solid, thick mass with prune at its heart, with even darker notes such as Indian tea, grilling and reduction. This is a fat, wide, soaked black fruits wine, before the onset of grainy, fired-up tannins. It holds hearty fruit with definite charge and content. A full-on, table wine that has a crunchy late palate. It is a country wine with attitude, is sweet-noted and just about avoids being INXS. From mid-2013. 2018-19 Dec 2012

 

------  Dégustation du 20 octobre 2010  ------

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine Grand Veneur Les Origines red 2009 

50% Grenache (1950s-1960s), 25-30% Mourvèdre (mid-1970s-1980s), 20% Syrah (mid-1970s-1980s), 5% diverse – Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Cinsault etc from Boilauzon, destemmed, 3 week vinification, cap punching, Grenache vat raised, Syrah/Mourvèdre aged new-4 year oak casks 18 months, unfined, filtered, first wine 1997, 20,000 b

Bright purple-black robe. Big and broad nose with life in it, a mix of chunky black fruit and tannin. It exudes a sense of purpose, is smoky, grilled, oaked. The palate is marked by licorice-filled black fruit, and has fine acidity, juicy fruit. It ends on Mourvèdre style licorice (tasted blind) that offers firm and steady notes. Its oak means it should be left until 2013-14. Has a typical herbal aftertaste. A classy wine in the making, but obviously presents a lot of oak now. Will be fusing by 2015. 2026-28 Oct 2010

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine Grand Veneur red 2009

65-70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% diverse – Cinsault, Muscardin, Vaccarèse etc, mainly from Cabrières and Boilauzon, destemmed, 18-20 day vinification, cap punching, aged 70% vat, 30% new-5 year oak casks 15-18 months, unfined, filtered, 25-30,000 b (casks) good, full robe; oily, dense nose that reveals licorice, secure prune at its heart, has a downhome, rather reductive side and plenty of potential. Rich and muscular on the palate: good, virile tannins really help its drive and life. Has a fine length. The fruit is successful, reductive. Rich potential. From 2013. 2024-26 Oct 2010

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Alain Jaume « Vieux Terron » red 2009

( ) 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, destemmed, 18-20 day vinification at 30°C, aged 80% vat, 20% oak 

(casks) dark robe; rather fine oak lies outside the suave black fruit on the nose, black cherry, with the fruit inside good and clear. Stylish palate – holds good, rather vibrant black fruit that builds up well, comes with bouncy late tannins as the oak re-appears. Has a good future ahead, is a solid, quality, well-shaped wine. Stylish from 2013. 2020-22 Oct 2010