Articles

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 state 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 state 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 »

Lidl & Domaine de Pignan 2008

by  |  30-05-2015

For those unfamiliar with supermarkets in Spain, there are few these days that are good and most verge on repugnant (Mercadona.) One of the ones that has historically been the mecca of all bargain dwellers... more »

A meeting of Grenaches, Les Printemps de Châteauneuf 2015

by  |  20-04-2015

This past 11-13th of April was the sixth edition of Les Printemps de Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Organized by the association of young winegrowers, this year it showcased 86 of the local domaines. The atmosphere is overall quite... more »