Domaine de Cristia & Chapelle St Theodoric Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017

Domaine de Cristia
The Grangeon family owns Domaine de Cristia and farms just over 30 acres, spread through 4 different parcels; Le Cristia (which is broken into two parts, an upper and lower), Saint Georges and La Roquete. They have a number of old vines, and in a normal year they produce four Châteauneufs, a traditional red and white, and two special cuvees. Their Vieilles Vignes is 100% Grenache that comes all from sandy soils and is brought up all in old barrels. Their more modern styled cuvee is the cuvee Renaissance, and it’s roughly 60% Grenache, with the balance Mourvedre and Syrah, that’s aged all 25% new French oak. 

Most of the domaine's wines are located in the lieu-dit Cristia, which has mainly sandy soils well suited to Grenache. Baptiste Grangeon is also responsible for the winemaking of the exceptional Chapelle St. Theodoric wines​.​ These are all knock-out wines simply loaded with fruit, freshness and purity in the beautifully textured Cristia house style. There is excellent balance and finesse across the range with polished tannins to the fore.

Chapelle St Theodoric Châteauneuf-du-Pape
One of the most exciting new projects in the Rhône Valley, these wines are the result of a collaboration of Domaine de Cristia’s Dominique and Baptiste Grangeon and American importer Peter Weygandt, who are seeking to harness and express the singular aromatic complexity and delicacy provided by Grenache grown on the sandy soils of the vaunted Pignan vineyard. To that end no new oak is used, just neutral foudres and the wines are bottled without fining or filtration. The wines are made with whole clusters and their light colour belies the flavor intensity that is delivered, making this a highly appealing source for those who usually steer clear of this region’s wines out of fear of their being too rich, too heavy or too dark-fruited in character.

"If there’s a Rayas look-alike out there, this is it!"
  ​— Jeb Dunnuck