We are always thrilled to offer mature reds in their prime drinking window, especially big-bodied beasts that truly need the aging and can be challenging when too young. So, it was a triumph to score a case of Domaine Villeneuve’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape, especially given their winemaking approach. Very old vines and extremely low-yields biodynamically farmed amongst diverse flora and fauna - that’s just the beginning. Aiming to balance the region’s classic rich full-bodied profile with some elegance and lift, Villeneuve is often among the first to harvest, avoiding the pitfalls of over-ripeness. Then in the cellar, oak is entirely eschewed in favor of aging in concrete eggs, preserving purity of fruit while allowing gentle micro-oxygenization.
The result is a gorgeously lifted and highly digestible wine, full-bodied yet light-footed, driven by smooth and integrated plum, cherry, blueberry and blackberry fruit. Generously trimmed with floral, savory herb, and warming spice accents, it opens with a burst of garrigue notes, rosemary and eucalyptus standing out, and closes with supremely smooth tannins, accented with graphite and baking spice. Savoring it over many hours, we found it eventually revealing additional layers of clean birch smoke and luxurious vanilla rolling tobacco. Outstanding in 2026 with its 9 years rest, this will also continue to develop nicely in the cellar another decade or more.
Certified organic since 1995. Certified biodynamic since 1998. 70% grenache, 16% mourvèdre, 8% syrah, 4% cinsault, 2% clairette. Most varietals 60-plus year-old vines. Grenache and clairette vines over 100 years-old. No oak used. 18 months aging in concrete egg. 20 mg per liter total sulfites. Palestor lieu-dit, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France.
We are always thrilled to offer mature reds in their prime drinking window, especially big-bodied beasts that truly need the aging and can be challenging when too young. So, it was a triumph to score a case of Domaine Villeneuve’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape, especially given their winemaking approach. Very old vines and extremely low-yields biodynamically farmed amongst diverse flora and fauna - that’s just the beginning. Aiming to balance the region’s classic rich full-bodied profile with some elegance and lift, Villeneuve is often among the first to harvest, avoiding the pitfalls of over-ripeness. Then in the cellar, oak is entirely eschewed in favor of aging in concrete eggs, preserving purity of fruit while allowing gentle micro-oxygenization.
The result is a gorgeously lifted and highly digestible wine, full-bodied yet light-footed, driven by smooth and integrated plum, cherry, blueberry and blackberry fruit. Generously trimmed with floral, savory herb, and warming spice accents, it opens with a burst of garrigue notes, rosemary and eucalyptus standing out, and closes with supremely smooth tannins, accented with graphite and baking spice. Savoring it over many hours, we found it eventually revealing additional layers of clean birch smoke and luxurious vanilla rolling tobacco. Outstanding in 2026 with its 9 years rest, this will also continue to develop nicely in the cellar another decade or more.
Certified organic since 1995. Certified biodynamic since 1998. 70% grenache, 16% mourvèdre, 8% syrah, 4% cinsault, 2% clairette. Most varietals 60-plus year-old vines. Grenache and clairette vines over 100 years-old. No oak used. 18 months aging in concrete egg. 20 mg per liter total sulfites. Palestor lieu-dit, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France.
