Domaine de Villeneuve Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Vieilles Vignes | 2017

Domaine de Villeneuve sits in the north sector of Châteauneuf-du-Pape where their terroir ranges from sand to small rocks and stones to red clays. In 2003 Stanislas Wallut became the sole owner of the estate, moving towards biodynamic farming and a gravity-fed cellar. Villeneuve's stronghold is their impressive collection of old vines, hovering around sixty-years. In addition, the yields are incredibly low, around 20 hectoliters per hectare. But these wines are not your typical big and burly Châteauneuf-du-Papes. In the cellar, Stanislas aims to produce a fresh and lighter style with lifted tannins and crunchy acidity. Pumping over is avoided, and punch-downs are minimal. The maceration process is more like an infusion, not an extraction, creating softer tannins, and concrete (not oak) is preferred for both fermentation and aging. Besides a small dose of sulfur at bottling, no other additives are added in vinification. The results are thrilling, evident in this well rested 2017. The nose is chock-full of raspberries and black tea, dried strawberries and salami spices. The palate glides, rather than hangs. An equal balance between savory and fruity, with the perfect amount of bottle age, add Villeneuve to your list. ~Allegra A