Domaine Les Cailloux - Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Centenaire 2019 (Magnum)

André Brunel’s wines consistently combine richness, refined tannins, and freshness. The white wine, which is very refined, contains a fairly significant proportion of Clairette. In the reds, Grenache dominates, with a touch of Mourvèdre. Finally, the “La Centenaire” cuvée is made from very old Grenache vines planted on the Mont-Redon plateau. The 2014 vintage is a classic expression of the style of wines from the Mont-Redon plateau, with its large, rounded pebbles. The 2015 “La Centenaire” cuvée is very successful, as is the 2016 white.

Made from Grenache vines planted in 1889 and small proportions of younger Mourvèdre and Syrah, the 2019 Cuvée Centenaire is a seriously full-bodied, concentrated, and richly textured wine that manages to strike a balance—and even exhibits a certain lightness. Notes of garrigue accentuate the black cherries and blackberries in this full-bodied, grand-scale Centenaire, which should age beautifully for over a decade.

An intense nose of blackberry with a warm undertone and hints of thyme. A wine whose style emphasizes elegance over volume and fullness on the palate.

Although little known in France, André Brunel is nonetheless among the elite of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. He produces distinguished wines whose greatest strengths are their minerality and refinement. The entire range is consistently excellent. The classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a quiet force, full of finesse and nuance. In great vintages, the estate produces a small quantity of a magnificent cuvée from vines planted in 1889 on the Farguerol plateau, named Cuvée Centenaire, which was first released in 1989. It quickly achieved worldwide success, which was well deserved. André Brunel still possesses a few rare and magnificent old bottles—from 1947 and 1967, or, more recently, from 1978—that demonstrate undeniable expertise, which is reflected in the quality of today’s wines.

A wine that will reach its peak in 4–5 years, the 2019 Centenaire reveals a deep ruby-purple color along with extraordinary notes of black cherries, licorice, iron, nori, and peppery garrigue. The estate did an incredible job laying the foundation for this 2019 vintage, particularly with the tannins. This wine is perfectly balanced, with ultra-fine tannins, no harsh edges, and pure elegance that will allow it to age for 25 years or more. It is a perfect example of power combined with a sense of density and robustness. The 2019 blend consists of 84% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 6% Syrah; it was not destemmed and was aged in concrete tanks, with only 6% aged in very old barrels.