Country: France
Region: Southern Rhone Valley
Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Grape: Grenache 80%, Mourvèdre 10%, Counoise 10%
Farming: Certified Biodynamic, Certified Organic
The lieu-dit 'Les Saintes Vierges' is in the east of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a northeast-facing slope and planted to 60-year-old vines.
Critical Acclaim
JD94
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is another beautiful wine. Ripe cherries, blueberries, rose petals, spice, and hints of spring flowers all emerge on the nose, and it shines on the palate for its beautiful elegance and purity. Medium to full-bodied, with ripe, polished tannins and notable freshness, it's going to evolve for 15 years with no issues.
WS93
Wine Spectator
This has a good, gutsy feel, with juicy and still slightly compact plum, raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors taking the lead, while licorice root, apple wood and dried garrigue hints fill in as well. Shows more oomph than purity, but this is solidly built. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise. Best from 2024.
About Domaine Santa Duc
Rising as a pillar of quality out of Gigondas' soils is Domaine Santa Duc — an estate with a history that stretches back to 1874. Through six generations, the domaine's caretakers have demonstrated a respect for the land. Santa Duc ascended to prominence starting in 1985 as a pioneer of organic viticulture in the region under the care of its indomitable vigneron, Yves Gras. In the 2017 vintage, Gras' son Benjamin assumed the helm at Domaine Santa Duc, making his mark immediately by introducing biodynamic farming techniques and constructing a new winemaking facility on the property.
In his time at the head of the estate, Yves branched out to nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Rasteau, creating wines of exceptional balance and quality. He seamlessly integrated fruit from each of the distinct soil types into harmonious cuvées representing the Southern Rhône Valley's unique terroir.
The estate wines are Ecocert-certified organic and Demeter-certified biodynamic. Working exclusively with indigenous yeast, the wines are partially destemmed depending on vintage and parcel and aged for 18 months in 36-hectoliter oak Stockinger foudres and 8-hectoliter terracotta amphorae. This estate integrates a thoughtful simplicity to the craft of winemaking that results in beautiful purity of expression in the elegant, focused, and polished wines.
