Articles

The wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2024

by  |  11-04-2024

A lot of water has passed under the collective bridges of life since my previous Châteauneuf-du-Pape report. As I arrived there in 2022, mere days after Russia invaded Ukraine, it was easily the most distracted... more »

Vinart Grand Tasting, Corpinnat & Châteauneuf-du-Pape

by  |  13-03-2024

Last week saw me make a return to the Vinart Grand Tasting in Zagreb, Croatia. My absence had been exceedingly long as the last time I went was in 2017 where I led a tasting... more »

Five white wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to know right now

by  |  21-09-2022

Who would opt for a Pinot Noir from Coteaux Champenois instead of a zippy, bubbling Champagne? Are there any people who even know that Syrah from Rueda instead of Verdejo is an option? Or maybe... more »

The wines of AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022

by  |  31-05-2022

I’d missed that view of the “Pope’s new castle” seen above. It’s striking in how it lords over the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, making for spectacular photos whether day or night. My longing for it was... more »

1999 Vintage in Priorat vs. Châteauneuf-du-Pape

by  |  15-02-2021

While my memory is less amazing with each birthday, I can tell you exactly where I was at the beginning of 1999. Two friends came down from my hometown on December 31st, 1998 so that... more »

Understanding the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010-2017 vintages via Domaine la Barroche

by  |  09-06-2020

I seem to have a knack in catching Julien Barrot of Domaine la Barroche at awkward moments whenever I’m in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. When I first profiled their cellar, I stopped by while the whole family was... more »

The wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2019

by  |  17-10-2019

For any lover of Grenache-based wines, and especially those found in the Southern Rhône, the appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers up many delicious pleasures which is why I’m very excited to share the 2019 report today.... more »

Finding ’14 & La Festa de la Verema

by  |  04-11-2016

Two years back, I wrote an account of the 2014 harvest which is where the photo above was from. It was nasty. What wasn’t desiccated was full of botrytis or then underripe and green. It... more »

Domaine la Barroche now in its new cellar

by  |  13-04-2016

Passing down from the north of France and after stopping off to judge in Lyon I made a quick stop to Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste at Les Printemps as well as visit the brand new cellar... more »

The rest of 2016

by  |  05-01-2016

Continued from yesterday, a few more observations about what’s to come in 2016 in general and outside of Catalonia. Southern France I just received an email from Michel Blanc in Châteauneuf going on at length... more »