Crous St. Martin 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a l’an 1879

An overnight blockbuster for us immediately upon arrival two vintages back, Crous St Martin is a collaboration between Rhone expert Harry Bosmans and Eric Bonnet of Domaine Bastide Saint Dominique. Harry is a household name amongst quality growers in the Rhone Valley and Eric’s family has been growing grapes in the north-east corner of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation for three generations now, with 120 acres of vines in their name. Eric’s father began to make wines at Bastide Saint Dominique in 1980, quickly establishing the property as an elite player in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Eric spent his early winemaking years up North in Burgundy, and that influence still shows in the delicate balance he is able to achieve between power and detail.

The harvest starts with Syrah, followed by Grenache and finishes with Mourvèdre which needs more time to mature. The yields are low, maximum 2.3 tons per acre. The wine pays homage to the year 1879, which is the year St. Martin’s Cross (Crous) was installed by the monks to signal the road to Chateauneuf. The blend is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. Vinification lasted 30 days in steel tanks with cap punching, a little pumping over. Grenache was aged 80% in steel tanks and 20% oak casks. Syrah and Mourvèdre were also aged in casks for 15 months and the wine is unfined and unfiltered.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 94 points saying "Piquant whiffs of chocolate, cardamom and clove mingle into black cherry and plum in this Grenache-based blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre. It's profoundly ripe and concentrated, but shaded by earth and forest notes too. The palate is pliant, cushioned by soft, furry tannins. This hedonistic wine is irresistible already but should also improve further through 2030."