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CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
I first discovered the Château Cabrières vineyard in June 1996, when I was a student at wine school in the Bordeaux region. As part of the course, each of us spent a month in a different wine region, learning about a different style of wine making to that practiced in Bordeaux. A classmate and I chose the region south of the Rhône valley and, during that time, spent a few days in Cabrières, where I bought a bottle of Cuvée Prestige 1990 and also collected a large flint stone (“galet roulet”), which remains on display in my parent’s home to this date. The old castle, situated in the heart of the Château Cabrières vineyard, was built in the 14th century. The Château has belonged to the Arnaud family (a family which has been linked to wine and Châteauneuf-du-Pape for centuries) for several years. The soil is characteristic of the area, containing many large flint stones on its surface, which prevent the heat from evaporating too quickly from the soil. There are thirteen different grape varieties found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the red cuvée of Château Cabrières contains many of them - it is made up of 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault and small amounts of Cournoise, Muscardin, Picpoul and Black Terret. The average yield is about 35hl/hectare. During the harvest, grapes are selected manually twice and then, as part of the wine making process, the wine must is left to macerate for 3 weeks (fermenting at 28 degrees). The wine is then aged for 12 months in barrels.
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“Le Petit Cabrières” Vin de Pays de la Principauté d’Orange 2016 75 cl 50% Grenache, 50% Cinsault Crunchy aromas of red fruits with a very nice freshness. Food and wine pairing: |
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Cuvée Tradition 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault. Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels. Châteauneuf du Pape 2012 75 clChâteauneuf du Pape 1995 75 cl Châteauneuf du Pape 1981 75 cl Châteauneuf du Pape 1986 75 clBeautiful intense ruby color. This wine is clean, brilliant. Powerful nose, fine and rich. A dominant spicy (pepper) aromas of ripe fruit (blackberries and blackcurrant) begin to reveal themselves. Powerful on the palate with long aromatic persistence. Tannins present but well integrated. 2012 : 90/100 Robert Parker, 91/10 International Wine Cellar and Médaille d'Or (golden medal) in Sakura Award, Japan |
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Cuvée Prestige Blend of 13 grapes; 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault and 10% blend of Counoise, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Picpoul, Vaccarese, Roussane, Picardan, Clairette and Bourboulenc. 15hl/ha. Aged 18 months in oak barrels. Only 2000 bottles produced. Châteauneuf du Pape 2010 75 cl
Châteauneuf du Pape 1990 75 cl Beautiful deep purple ruby color. This wine is clean and brilliant. Aromas of ripe fruit (blackberries) and hints of leather begin to appear with the nuances of caramel. Powerful on the palate with long aromatic persistence. Tannins very present. This wine is young and has all the characteristics to become a very great wine. 2010 : 91/100 Robert Parker et 90/100 Wine Cellar Insider |