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Château Maucoil, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Southern Rhône, France 2013 (750mL)
$48.00
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Fruit
Earth
Body
Tannin
Acid
Alcohol

Château Maucoil, Châteauneuf-du-Pape


Great Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a true testament to the adage that the sum is greater than its parts. Unlike its northerly counterpart in the Northern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines from the Southern Rhône are a complex blend of myriad grapes (13+ allowed varieties), typically leading with Grenache, that results in one of the world’s most opulent and luxurious blends. When on point, it is also one of our favorite red wines in the world. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or, “new castle of the Pope” takes its name from a period in the fourteenth century when the Pope relocated his court to Avignon. In this blessed locale, the weather turns sunny, the air is infused with herbs and lavender, and the climate is comparatively Mediterranean. The particularly sandy and arid landscape is dotted with large, round river rocks, or galets roulés; a product of prehistoric Alpine glaciers, they function to retain moisture during hot days, warm the vines on cold nights, and providing drainage in times of rain. The Mistral, a strong wind that howls down the valley from the Alps, seasonally cools down the land and retains acidity as well as protects the grapes from humidity and mold. All of these factors contribute to the inimitable terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
 
Although Château Maucoil is a relative newcomer to the Southern Rhône Valley, the site of their estate dates back to Ancient Rome when the army used it as a fortress. The vineyards were first cultivated here in the mid-1600’s. Today, the estate is owned by the Lavau negociant firm based out of Violes, France. The picturesque site is meticulously managed by Benedict and Charles Bonnet, who farm the 34 hectares of vineyards. Today’s blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault and other allowed varietals, is aged for twelve months in a combination of large oak foudres and used oak barrels. The result is a pristine, unadulterated snapshot of Châteauneuf-du-Pape at its most classic and authentic. In a market where truly balanced CDP is hard to come by, this wine delivers a beautiful, traditional expression for a price to quality that is tough to beat.
 
The Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape exhibits a dark ruby core with a hint of orange on the meniscus. The nose is beautifully poised and fruit-forward with aromatics of sun-dried strawberry, kirsch liqueur, dried cherry and goji berries over savory notes of Herbs de Provence, rose petal candy, a touch of white pepper and a light kiss of olive and meat in the distant background. The palate is medium-plus in body and enchants with incredibly silky tannins, soft minerality and the lift of pitch-perfect freshness. Flavors of dried wild strawberry and cassis envelop the palate alongside nuanced garrigue and savory herbs then evolve into a superb finish of soft minerality as well as a faint touch of olive and meat. This wine is a joy to drink in its youth, although it has the requisite balance to evolve beautifully in the cellar over the next 5-10 years or beyond for those of you with patience. To enjoy, simply decant for 20-30 minutes and serve at 60-65F in Burgundy stems to experience the magnificent floral character - Bordeaux stems work well also. Service temperature is key. Do not serve too warm or the alcohol with dominate the nose. If necessary, place the wine in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. For a great pairing, prepare this roast pork with dried fruits and serve with herb-roasted Yukon gold potatoes.
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Country
France
Region
Southern Rhône
Sub-Region
FranceChâteauneuf-du-Pape
Soil
Sand, Galets Roules, Clay
Farming
Sustainable
Blend
60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault
Alcohol
14.5
OAK
Neutral Large Barrels and Cement Tank

France

Bourgogne

Beaujolais

Enjoying the greatest wines of Beaujolais starts, as it usually does, with the lay of the land. In Beaujolais, 10 localities have been given their own AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) designation. They are: Saint Amour; Juliénas; Chénas; Moulin-à Vent; Fleurie; Chiroubles; Morgon; Régnié; Côte de Brouilly; and Brouilly.

Southwestern France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux surrounds two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, which intersect north of the city of Bordeaux to form the Gironde Estuary, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is at the 45th parallel (California’s Napa Valley is at the38th), with a mild, Atlantic-influenced climate enabling the maturation of late-ripening varieties.

Central France

Loire Valley

The Loire is France’s longest river (634 miles), originating in the southerly Cévennes Mountains, flowing north towards Paris, then curving westward and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes. The Loire and its tributaries cover a huge swath of central France, with most of the wine appellations on an east-west stretch at47 degrees north (the same latitude as Burgundy).

Northeastern France

Alsace

Alsace, in Northeastern France, is one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, with vineyards running from the foothills of theVosges Mountains down to the Rhine River Valley below.

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