Domaine Durieu
Lucile Avril Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
This wine is terrific. Made from 90-year-old vine grenache (85%), 60-year-old Mourvèdre (10%) and 5% Syrah. The wine was aged in concrete 18 months with only the syrah seeing oak. It is juicy with notes of bright strawberry, raspberry, red currant. Blackberry, spiced red cherries, and an subtle hint of herbal garrigue in the background with leather, kirsch and clove. Much more elegant than you might assume on learning it has 15.5% alcohol. A beautiful wine with surprisingly bright acidity - very long on the palate.
This wine is terrific. Made from 90-year-old vine grenache (85%), 60-year-old Mourvèdre (10%) and 5% Syrah. The wine was aged in concrete 18 months with only the syrah seeing oak. It is juicy with notes of bright strawberry, raspberry, red currant. Blackberry, spiced red cherries, and an subtle hint of herbal garrigue in the background with leather, kirsch and clove. Much more elegant than you might assume on learning it has 15.5% alcohol. A beautiful wine with surprisingly bright acidity - very long on the palate.
Sep 30th, 2022
I vacillate between “my tastes have changed and I no longer like Chateauneuf du Pape like I used to” and “I’m the only person who can be honest about Chateauneuf du Pape these days.” Anyway, this has a pleasant nose of wet river stones and dark raspberry. But in the mouth it’s heavy and ungainly. Pretty rich but basically an overweight non-athlete. Compared to its current peers, it’s pretty good. But compared to CDP of the 70s, 80s, and 90s (I’ll add 2001 to that list), it’s just disappointing.
I vacillate between “my tastes have changed and I no longer like Chateauneuf du Pape like I used to” and “I’m the only person who can be honest about Chateauneuf du Pape these days.” Anyway, this has a pleasant nose of wet river stones and dark raspberry. But in the mouth it’s heavy and ungainly. Pretty rich but basically an overweight non-athlete. Compared to its current peers, it’s pretty good. But compared to CDP of the 70s, 80s, and 90s (I’ll add 2001 to that list), it’s just disappointing.
Oct 1st, 2021
As advertised....red fruit driven, smoky, meaty, pepper, dried fruit/baked, leather, firm tannins and acid and boozy...overall well balanced wine not meant for easy relaxed drinking and needs some food!
As advertised....red fruit driven, smoky, meaty, pepper, dried fruit/baked, leather, firm tannins and acid and boozy...overall well balanced wine not meant for easy relaxed drinking and needs some food!
Apr 17th, 20202009: (different bottle in pic) smoky, tobacco, graphite. Meaty powerful style. Full bodied, meaty, very grainy, big. Very ashy, tobacco, smoky.
2009: (different bottle in pic) smoky, tobacco, graphite. Meaty powerful style. Full bodied, meaty, very grainy, big. Very ashy, tobacco, smoky.
1 person found it helpfulJun 5th, 2015This is a blend of 90% Grenache from 90 year old vines.
This is a blend of 90% Grenache from 90 year old vines.
1 person found it helpfulSep 24th, 2013Actually 2013: 90% Grenache, topped up with Syrah & Mouvevdre. More closed, and jammy. Powerful, tannic, needs time.
Actually 2013: 90% Grenache, topped up with Syrah & Mouvevdre. More closed, and jammy. Powerful, tannic, needs time.
Jun 5th, 2015
2018 was just a weird year. This had zero tannic structure. ZERO. Still lots of great dark fruit flavor and some herbal notes, maybe some tobacco, but flabby.
2018 was just a weird year. This had zero tannic structure. ZERO. Still lots of great dark fruit flavor and some herbal notes, maybe some tobacco, but flabby.
Feb 21st, 2023
Lots of dark berries and quite tannic. Opened up beautifully on day 2. Really looking forward to this over time!
Lots of dark berries and quite tannic. Opened up beautifully on day 2. Really looking forward to this over time!
May 10th, 2020
Gobs of dark fruit with bright cherry adding lustre to this wonderful wine.
Gobs of dark fruit with bright cherry adding lustre to this wonderful wine.
Aug 18th, 2018