La Ferme du Mont’s old‑vine “Capelan” Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape arrives on the heels of us selling out its sibling bottling in just a few hours, and we’re turning the dial up with this release. We’ve secured the last five cases in the country for a U.S. SommSelect exclusive available only to select VIP members. Named in homage to the monks of Avignon, Capelan represents the estate’s most refined expression of Southern Rhône terroir. The 2020 vintage is already showing beautifully silky, poised, and impressively integrated in its early evolution, signaling a wine that balances depth with grace.

What sets this cuvée apart is its Burgundian approach to Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape, favoring finesse and energy over sheer power. Grenache leads with beguiling aromatics—red fruit, spice, and lifted perfume—while Mourvèdre brings earth, leather, and a meaty, sauvage undertone. A touch of Syrah rounds out the blend, adding structure and a dark‑toned polish. It’s no surprise that Wine Enthusiast awarded it 94 points and named it a Top Cellar Selection in 2024, recognizing its elegance and long‑term potential.

Behind the wine is Stéphane Vedeau, the former professional soccer player who reinvented himself as one of the Rhône Valley’s most compelling winemakers. After 15 years in the Languedoc, he moved to the Southern Rhône in 2000 and quickly caught the attention of critics. Robert Parker famously called him one of the “young, energetic Turks of Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape,” praising his ability to craft wines of freshness, soul, and precision. That early promise has only grown stronger as his holdings and reputation have expanded.

La Ferme du Mont today is a mosaic of biodynamic vineyards across the Southern Rhône, certified Agriculture Biologique since 2014 and farmed without pesticides or chemicals long before that. Vedeau works exclusively with native yeasts and a philosophy rooted in purity, transparency, and terroir expression. The estate has grown to include Clos Bellane (2010), Val des Rois (2020), and new vineyards in Rasteau (2022), specializing in Grenache‑dominant wines from Côtes du Rhône through Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape. “Capelan” stands at the top of that pyramid—a wine that captures both the history of the region and the modern finesse of a winemaker hitting his stride.

Critical Acclaim:

94 Points, Wine Enthusiast, #43 - "Top 100 Cellar Selection Wines for 2024:

• Dusty aromas of red cherries, blackberry jam, cassis, black olive, sorel, violets, sage and clove make for a complex nose. Its bright acidity provides lift to a rich and velvety textured palate, and washes away firm mouth-coating tannins. Cellar well through 2035+ before revisiting.