Domaine Santa Duc - Châteauneuf-du-Pape Habemus Papam 2019

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Benjamin Gras follows in his father Yves's footsteps, crafting with the same talent a range of profound, elegant parcel wines, where the purity of fruit is a real obsession. A polished style, in which the wines abandon a little generosity and concentration in favor of pure delicacy. In Gigondas as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the wines have a style of their own that will leave no one indifferent.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Unctuous, fresh but ripe, and above all a sensation of "drinkability" for this digestible wine. Well-balanced, sapid and lively, despite a hint of prune (Revue RVF N°656 - 2021-2022).

About the domain :

Yves Gras took over the reins of this emblematic Gigondas estate in 1985. He established a full-bodied, fleshy style, without being devoid of finesse, and international recognition was immediate. Several projects enriched the estate: the renovation of Clos Derrière Vieille in 1994; and the acquisition of fine terroirs in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2009: Saintes Pierres, La Crau Ouest, Le Pied de Baud, Les Pradel and La Font du Pape. In 2017, the arrival of Benjamin, the son, brought a new dynamic and a stylistic change. The wines still display race and power, but now have more infused textures. Their mouthfeel is diffusely powerful and their tactile sensations more graceful. The woodiness is also better integrated. The estate is biodynamic, vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts, whole harvests are only partially used, and the wines are not filtered before bottling. The uniqueness of each cuvée leads us to award the first star as soon as the estate enters the guide.

Wine Spectator

Vinous A. Galloni

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Superb fruit such as blackberry and black cherry, along with peppery notes of garrigue, camphor, violets and spices, emerge from the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Habemus Papam, a classic, balanced, pure and elegant Châteauneuf that offers a lovely sensation of freshness and purity while showing plenty of character. Based on 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, partially destemmed and aged in foudre and clay jars, it will benefit from 2 to 4 years of bottle ageing and will keep for around ten years.