Domaine De Cristia Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Renaissance 2019
5 in stock
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
Drink Date: 2023 - 2035
A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre aged in a combination of demi-muids and new barriques, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance shows plenty of smoky, toasty nuances laid over the top of roasted cherries. Full-bodied, rich and velvety in texture, it finishes long, with overtones of mocha lingering on the finish. It's oaky now, but it should improve with short-term cellaring. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.
I confess to being slightly disappointed in the offerings from this fine domaine this year. The Grangeon family owns vineyards in some superb sandy sites, including the lieux-dits of Cristia and la Font du Loup, but the 2019s and 2020s (to a lesser extent) are too easy in style, and some cuvees are overly marked by wood. Still, there is no denying their commercial appeal. The 2020 white, however, showed well on both occasions I tasted it. Baptiste Grangeon is picking those grapes a bit early "to keep the freshness," then compensating by using a bit more new oak and bâtonnage.
"I was a big fan of 2019 and less of 2020 in the beginning," Grangeon said as we tasted through the range. "But with time, I like '20 more and more." Alcohol levels here were close to 16% in 2019 but more like 15% in 2020. "You can't get in '19 what we got in '16—that was a perfectly balanced vintage. Chateauneuf is supposed to be a fine and elegant wine," Grangeon added in closing.
Looking at the older wines, the 2011 (there was only a single cuvee produced) should be consumed without further delay, and the 2001 came across as tired and of only academic interest at this point (no review given). As a rough rule of thumb, I would suggest drinking these wines within their first decade.
Published: May 06, 2022
Up to 12 bottles of wine or equivalent mls:
North Island (non-rural): $7
North Island (rural): $12
South Island(non-rural): $10
South Island(rural): $17
Up to 24 bottles of wine or equivalent mls:
North Island (non-rural): $14
North Island (rural): $24
South Island(non-rural): $20
South Island(rural): $34
Additional delivery fees for Waiheke, Chatham, and Stewart Island
We endeavour to dispatch orders the next business day, couriers can take 1 to 2 business days to deliver to non-rural addresses and 2 to 3 days to deliver to rural addresses.
Exceptions during December:
In December, please allow 3 business days for delivery. The last day for Christmas orders is Monday 18th December at 5 am for all South Island and all rural deliveries, and the Tuesday19th December at 10am for North Island non-rural deliveries. After these dates Regional Wines cannot guarantee delivery before 25th December.
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