Domaine de Panisse 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape, Confidence Vigneronne

Domaine de Panisse is a very small estate in Courthezon in the Southern Rhone that had been marked for demolition to make room for a roadway. Christine and Jean-Pierre Olivier acquired the property in the early 1990's and rescued and revived it. The property dates back to the late 1400's when it was owned by Lord Dominique de Panisse. Today the vineyards include 18 acres in the heart of the Chateauneuf du Pape AOP with mature vines up to 70 years of age.

This wine is a 80% Grenache 10% Syrah and 10%  Mourvedre. The grapes are hand harvested and  and fermentation on the skins lasts up to 25 days. The wine is then aged 50% in tanks and 50% in older Burgundy style barrels. The blend is made after a year of barrel aging.

In most vintages a separate bottling is done of the grapes from the oldest vines but in this outstanding vintage of 2016 all of the wine is in this one cuvee "Confidence Vigneronne" which  means " Trust the Winemaker" and we do. This Rhone red shows deep color and beautifully complex nose of raspberries, stewed cherries, anise and dusting of pepper. The ripe flavors carry through to the palate bringing cherry, berries, licorice and hints of woodsmoke. Supple and generous, the well polished tannins suggest good age-ability and the finish is long and rewarding.

Available here for the first time (previously only sold in Europe) and the quality of this wine is well above the special price we're offering. But this is a tiny production, boutique wine and it's very limited so please don't wait!