Crous St Martin Chateauneuf du Pape “Hommage á l’an 1879”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Chateauneuf-du-Pape with engaging intensity from north-facing sandy, compacted safre, galet stone covered soils on Les Bédines.
- The harvest starts with Syrah, followed by Grenache and finishes with Mourvèdre which needs more time to mature. The yields are low, maximum 35 hectoliters per hectacre. Classic/traditional vinification.
- The wine pays homage to the year 1879, which is the year St. Martin’s Cross (Crous) was installed by the monks to signal the road to Chateauneuf.
- The best value in CdP we’ve seen in at least a decade!
Varietal Composition: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
Elaboration: 30 day steel vat vinification at up to 28°C, cap punching, a little pumping over, 80% steel vat (Grenache), 20% 2-5 year 228-litre oak casks (Syrah-Mourvèdre) raised 15 months, unfined, unfiltered.
Tasting Notes: A beautiful clean ruby color. The nose will reveal aromas of cherry, mulberry, and fine spices. Sensual mouthfeel expressing depth and smoothness with aromas of kirsch, blackcurrant, followed by fine spices such as thyme, licorice, and white pepper. Tannins are present but are polished and silky. Complex wine with roundness, power, and a long mouthfeel.
PRESS
2015 – 91-93 Wine Advocate | 94 Vinous
2016 – 90-93 Jeb Dunnuck | 93 Wine Advocate
2017 – 90 Wine Advocate | 90-91 Vinous | 94 Wine Enthusiast | 94 Jeb Dunnuck
2018 – 91+ Wine Advocate
2019 – 91-93 Jeb Dunnuck | 93 Vinous | 94 Decanter
2020 – 89-91 Jeb Dunnuck
2021 – 90 Jeb Dunnuck | 92 James Suckling
2022 – 92-94 Jeb Dunnuck
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
An overnight blockbuster for us immediately upon arrival two vintages back, Crous St Martin is a collaboration between Rhone expert Harry Bosmans and Eric Bonnet of Domaine Bastide Saint Dominique. Harry is a household name amongst quality growers in the Rhone Valley and an invaluable resource thanks to his skill on both the production side and on the sales side. Eric’s family has been growing grapes in the north-east corner of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation for three generations now, with 120 acres of vines in their name. Eric’s father began to make wines at Bastide Saint Dominique in 1980, quickly establishing the property as an elite player in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Eric, now 39 years old, spent his early winemaking years up North in Burgundy, and that influence still shows in the delicate balance he is able to achieve between power and detail.