Xavier Vignon, Chateauneuf Du Pape La Reserve XV XVI XVII NV

Description

A blend of three vintages of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2015, 2016, 2017. The 2015 vintage contributes 8% of the blend, selected for its structure and strength. The 2016 vintage makes up 76% of the blend, bringing finesse, length and salinity. This vintage is the backbone of this cuvée. The 2017 vintage represents 14% of the blend, adding black fruit and saffron notes. The remaining 2% is reserve wine from the previous release, Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve X XII XV, which itself is a blend of 2010, 2012 and 2015. A blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Cinsault and 25% are from co-planted collection vineyards, whose exact composition in unknown. The grapes are sourced from more than 100 parcels, from four great Terroirs, La Crau, Les Galets Roulés, Les Urgoniens and Les Sables. Different ageing methods were used for each vintage, including concrete vats, demi-muids, oak barrel and foudre. “The NV Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve XV XVI XVII comes primarily from the magical 2016 vintage with smaller amounts from 2015 and 2017. It offers an extraordinary nose of blackcurrants, ground pepper, garrigue, and crushed violets. Rich, full-bodied, and incredibly seamless, with a stacked mid-palate, this is Châteauneuf Du Pape brilliance all the way. It’s terrific today yet will keep for 15+ years.” 97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

About the Producer

Xavier Vignon’s working approach is one that combines daring with inspiration. His time spent in Champagne and Bordeaux left a lasting impression on him and instilled in him strong values: the freedom of blending and the notion of beginning with an idea before embarking upon the creation of the wine. Each year is different and each year is a source of surprise. The combination of different grape varieties (varietals) in the same blend, or even several different vintages, imparts complexity to the wine and is another means of enhancing the terroir. Xavier Vignon therefore works with a wide range of ingredients available to him: grapes, terroirs, parcels, exposures, altitudes, vintages, wooden receptacles and stainless steels receptacles. Like a creative perfumer, he composes the most accurate fragrance, the most loyal expression of the aesthetic. Thanks to his in depth knowledge of each and every part of the Rhône Valley, he is able to start by selecting a soil, a parcel and a varietal with the aim of creating the most loyal and harmonious composition possible. Wines are always the result of contrary or complementary unions and it is the bringing together of these different entities that gives the best possible result… Each cuvée is therefore a unique, ephemeral experience, the expression of either a vintage, a varietal or a terroir. A source of emotion, guided by the pleasure of sharing, an invitation not only to dream but also to better understand these landscapes which he holds so close to his heart. He strives to capture this little part of the southern Rhône in the bottle, to encapsulate all of its aromas, colours and textures… with the ultimate aim of making people happy!