La Bastide Saint Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge

La Bastide Saint Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WHY WE LOVE IT

  • Soils of sands and clays, with round pebbles on the so-called areas of Les Bédines, Chapouin, Pignan and Guigasse.
  • The vineyard encompasses 19 acres of vines, ranging in age from 25 to 80 years old.

Varietal Composition: 80% Grenache 10% Syrah 7% Mourvèdre 3% Cinsault

Elaboration: Total destemming. 18 days of vatting in stainless steel tanks. Cap-punching, pumping-over, with control of the temperatures (max 28°c). Ageing of 18 months in vat before bottling.

Tasting Notes: Very intense nose of jammy red fruits, kirsch liqueur and black berries. After aeration, more complexity with notes of laurel, pepper, cardamom and pine forest. Opulent attack in a crunchy style, with full-bodied and elegant tannins. Freshness at the finish with spices notes.

PRESS

2016 – 93 Wine Advocate

2017 – 91 Wine Advocate | 94 Jeb Dunnuck

2018 – 90-92 Jeb Dunnuck | 91 Wine Advocate | 93 Decanter

2019 – 91 Vinous

2020 – 94 Wine Advocate | 91-93 Jeb Dunnuck | 93 James Suckling

2021 – 91 Jeb Dunnuck | 93 James Suckling | 90 Vinous

2022 – 91-93 Jeb Dunnuck

PRODUCER BACKGROUND

The La Bastide Saint Dominique estate lies in the heart of Provence, right in the foothills of Chateauneuf du Pape, buffeted by the gusts of the Mistral wind and bathed by the bright southern sun. Located at the heart of the Southern Rhône Valley, a stone’s throw away from Châteauneuf du Pape. La Bastide Saint Dominique estate enjoys optimal climate with the unique Mistral wind and very hot and dry summers. Built around a former 16th century chapel, the estate was created by Marie-Claude and Gérard Bonnet with only a handful of hectares. With strong commitment and passion, the Bonnet’s have expanded the estate to a total area of 50 hectares, producing Appellations d’Origine Protégée (AOP) Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Cairanne, Châteauneuf du Pape and Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) Méditerranée. Since 1999, their son Eric has been working with them and now takes care of the whole process from production to vinification with a more innovative approach, both on technical and marketing levels. Committed to the environment, La Bastide Saint Dominique registered for the French AB (Agriculture Biologique) Organic farming certification in 2011 and starting with the 2014 vintage, their wines are now certified.

La Bastide Saint Dominique’s particular combination of unique soil makeup, a rich assortment of grape varietals, and old vines ensure that La Bastide Saint Dominique wines are of exceptional quality. Their vines are planted on soils resting on limestone. The rest of the vineyard is composed of red clay and round pebbles which contribute to maintaining heat and regenerating it when needed. All of their cultural practices match the requirements of the Organic Farming regulations, as it is their priority to maintain both soil and vines with precise pruning methods, green harvest etc. Yields are naturally low and the whole estate is harvested by hand.

Print review Shelf Talker (2018 – 90-92 Jeb Dunnuck)
Print Review Shelf Talker (2022 – 91-93 Jeb Dunnuck)