Vignobles Brunier, Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Piedlong", Rouge, 2021

Silky and elegant Chateauneuf-du-Pape from the lieu-dit "Piedlong"

"Tasted just prior to bottling, Piedlong's 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre from the lieu-dit of the same name. Scents of roses, red berries and citrus zest appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is silky and elegant, with a hint of cracked pepper on the lingering finish." 

• Robert Parker 92-94/100
• Jeb Dunnuck 92/100
• Blend of 70-year-old Grenache Noir (90%) and 50-year-old Mourvèdre (10%)
• 20-22 months in French oak foudres (60 hl), bottled without filtration or fining

Cellaring: Drink now to 2040

Food Pairing: Roast leg of lamb with thyme, roast beef, venison, stews, daube,earthy vegetables or even bean stews. 

STORY BEHIND THE WINE

Piedlong - a Châteauneuf-du-Pape that is made mostly from very old Grenache planted on an extremely stony windswept unirrigated high plateau. A wine made according to a philosophy at once traditional (some stemmed grapes and lengthy maceration) and hands-off and aged in large barrels for two years will surely tend towards a balance of richness and elegance.

The grapes are hand-picked, with double sorting at the vine and a third sorting in the winery. Gentle crushing and selective destemming followed by at least 30 days’ traditional fermentation in concrete and wooden vats. Pneumatic pressing, then systematicmalolactic fermentation.