2016 Château de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu

Description

94-96   Jeb Dunnuck
“A bigger, richer wine, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu is 64% Grenache, 28% Syrah, and 8% Mourvèdre. Blackberry, hints of cassis, licorice, toasted spice, and graphite give way to a rich, full-bodied, concentrated barrel sample that has terrific purity and balance. It still plays in the elegant, seamless style of the estate, yet has terrific length. This is another great lineup from Chateau de Vaudieu, who have risen to the top of the heap recently. They make a perfumed, elegant style of wine, and have started releasing numerous single parcel wine from vines all located around the estate. While the 2016s are a clear step up, the 2015s has terrific purity and elegance.” (10/2017)

94-96   Vinous
“Deep ruby. Deeply perfumed aromas of ripe red and dark berries, candied flowers and garrigue slowly pick up a spicy element as the wine stretches out. Juicy and seamless on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors and a late hint of cola. The floral and spice notes repeat strongly on the impressively long, penetrating finish, which is given shape and gentle grip by smooth, slow-building tannins.” (7/2018)

95   James Molesworth Wine Spectator
“A beauty, with boysenberry, loganberry and blueberry fruit streaming through. Creamy and lush in feel, yet driven and detailed due to seamless acidity and light anise, black tea and lavender notes. Reveals a light graphite hint at the very end.” (8/2018)

94   Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Full-bodied and plush, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Val de Dieu is a blend of 64% Grenache, 28% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre. Brought up exclusively in demi-muids, it does show some toasty accents, but it delivers a lush mouthful of ripe raspberries and vanilla that glides to a lingering, slightly charred finish.” (8/2018)