Domaine Santa Duc - Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Saintes Vierges 2021

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

About the wine:

From sandy soils in the Courthezon area, Châteauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges 2021 is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Counoise and 10% Mourvèdre. Delicately perfumed with aromas of roses, cherries and raspberries, this is an elegant, medium- to full-bodied Châteauneuf, with a silky, crisp, persistent finish.

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

About the wine:

The wine's aromas are seductive, with a fine style. The Grenache profile on sand monopolizes the debate. The nose is precise and fine, with rosewood, floral, sweet spice and a hint of blood orange. The woodiness is well managed. The palate is infused with diffused power and quality length.

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.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Made from biodynamically grown grapes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Saintes-Vierges 2021 is full-bodied, spicy and incisive. It has pronounced aromas of blood orange, ripe raspberry and cranberry, with hints of licorice, iodine and dried herbs. Supple tannins and refreshing acidity carry through to the complex finish.

Jeb Dunnuck