Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes’
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Chante Le Merle is the flagship wine of Bosquet Des Papes, sourced from the family’s oldest vines, aged 70 to 100 years.
- Originating from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation in France’s Southern Rhône Valley, this wine benefits from clay-limestone soil mixed with rounded pebbles that retain heat.
- Named “song of the blackbird” after its original moniker, Clos Chantemerle, this luxury cuvée is celebrated for its traditional winemaking, deep complexity, and excellent aging potential.
Varietal Composition: 80% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
Elaboration: Vinification occurs in temperature-controlled concrete vats without destemming, followed by 35 days of gentle maceration. The wine ages for 12 to 18 months in large oak casks and new *demi-muids* (600-liter barrels), using 15% to 20% new wood for added complexity.
Tasting Notes: A lovely, brilliant red hue with violet highlights. The nose is at once elegant and complex. Highly aromatic, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape is characterized by its elegance and impressive length on the palate. A powerful wine with aging potential of several years.
PRESS
2021 – 94 Wine Advocate | 93 Jeb Dunnuck
2022 – 95 Wine Spectator | 94 Wine Advocate | 94 Jeb Dunnuck | 94 Vinous | 94 James Suckling
2023 – 95 Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96 Vinous
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Domaine Bosquet des Papes is a respected family winery that has been run by the Boiron family for six generations, since 1860. Located in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region of the Southern Rhône Valley in France, the 32-hectare estate is renowned for its age-worthy red wines. Founded by Emmanuel Boiron, it is now managed by Nicolas and Jeanne-Claire Boiron. Originally called Clos Chantemerle, it was renamed Bosquet des Papes in 1966, meaning “the pope’s grove.”
The winery emphasizes traditional Rhône winemaking practices, focusing on producing wines that express the region’s unique terroir. Its vineyards span around 40 parcels, with an average vine age of 50 years, and some vines ranging from 70 to 100 years. The diverse soils include red sandstone, rolled river pebbles, sandy soils, and clay-limestone subsoils.