Domaine de la Côte de l’Ange – Tradition

Chateauneuf du Pape AOC

Grape varieties:

Grenache 70% – Syrah 15% –  Mourvèdre 15%

Vineyard:

The Mestre Family is one of the most ancient in Chateauneuf du pape, and its members come from a line of wine growers. In the 60′ Monique and Jean-Claude Mestre took over te family brand name and create their own vineyard with some of the  vines from the  “Coteaux de l’Ange”. The domain is now run by their daughter Corinne and her husband Yannick, who are carrying on the business with respect for the old wine growing tradition. The 40-year-old vines stretch on a surface area of 27 acres made of various soil such as clay and limestone with pebbles and sand. They are pruinned following the “Goblet” system, all hand-picked and sorted. The Syrah vines are trained on wires. The soil is tilled and the vines sprayed only when necessary.

Winemaking:

After a direct pressing in a pneumatic press, the fermentation takes place in vat for 3 weeks to a month. Then half of the harvest is aged in large oak barrels for a year.

Tasting Note:

With a superb deep purple hue the smell of the wine begins with dried flower aromas like rose, developing into red candied fruit enhanced by smoky, gamey and spicy notes (paper and cinnamon). It is ample and mouth filling with a well coated structure going on to a long finish with flavors of game and licorice.

Food Pairing:

This great wine will be revealed along with a grilled,red and fat meat alongs with mashed potatoes with truffles. Otherwise it can be finely paired with a grilled fish on a creamy sauce.

Ratings:

Vintage 2011: 90 Points Wine Advocate

Vintage 2015: 93 Points Wine Advocate – 90 Points Jeb Dunnuck