Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski

Drink Date: 2023 - 2035
A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre aged in a combination of demi-muids and new barriques, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance shows plenty of smoky, toasty nuances laid over the top of roasted cherries. Full-bodied, rich and velvety in texture, it finishes long, with overtones of mocha lingering on the finish. It's oaky now, but it should improve with short-term cellaring. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.

I confess to being slightly disappointed in the offerings from this fine domaine this year. The Grangeon family owns vineyards in some superb sandy sites, including the lieux-dits of Cristia and la Font du Loup, but the 2019s and 2020s (to a lesser extent) are too easy in style, and some cuvees are overly marked by wood. Still, there is no denying their commercial appeal. The 2020 white, however, showed well on both occasions I tasted it. Baptiste Grangeon is picking those grapes a bit early "to keep the freshness," then compensating by using a bit more new oak and bâtonnage.

"I was a big fan of 2019 and less of 2020 in the beginning," Grangeon said as we tasted through the range. "But with time, I like '20 more and more." Alcohol levels here were close to 16% in 2019 but more like 15% in 2020. "You can't get in '19 what we got in '16—that was a perfectly balanced vintage. Chateauneuf is supposed to be a fine and elegant wine," Grangeon added in closing.

Looking at the older wines, the 2011 (there was only a single cuvee produced) should be consumed without further delay, and the 2001 came across as tired and of only academic interest at this point (no review given). As a rough rule of thumb, I would suggest drinking these wines within their first decade.

Published: May 06, 2022

Certified organic 100% Cabernet Franc picked from 35+ year old vines at the bottom section of the Butte hillside at the northern sector of Bourgueil – the best part of Bourgeuil. Fab southerly exposure with clay and silex soil over limestone.

De-stemmed and fermented with Indigenous yeast and then aged in a mix of cement and older barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Vouvray is a French wine appellation devoted to the great Chenin Blanc grape, which is expressed vibrantly in this gorgeously fresh and light bodied but intensely flavoursome white wine. Its high acidity and expansive fresh flavours make Chenin Blanc one of the most versatile wines with its bold and bright lemon, honey and floral aromas. High acidity adds length and backbone to the palate of this lovely wine. 

The history, mystery of a long established winery

The Domaine Marc Bredif winery is one of the great names of the Loire. The estate has enjoyed a long and colourful history, having been established in 1893 under the original name of Château les Roches. In 1919, not long after the end of the First World War, Marc Bredif took over from his Uncle and renamed the property to mark the change of ownership. His focus was simple, to forge an unrivalled reputation for excellence amongst the estates of the Loire Valley.
He invested heavily in the estate during the 1930’s, building a tremendous circular storage room in the heart of its cellars, which today houses venerable vintages of sweet Vouvray, some of which date back to the 1900’s. The property managed to survive the Second War World War relatively unharmed and remained under family control until the 1980’s. As is so often the case, family intrigue and financial necessity meant that the Domaine had to be sold, and in 1980 Baron Patrick de Ladoucette acquired the estate. Thankfully, the Baron was every bit the conscientious owner and has given new life to Marc Bredif – investing heavily and expanding their holdings to include some of the most prized Vouvray vineyards – 20 hectares in total. Picking exclusively by hand, the Domaine produces some of the most profound and immortal expressions of Chenin Blanc, in a range of styles to suit all wine lovers.

Tasting notes:

Straw gold yellow. Fine and elegant nose mixing white fruit aromas (pear, quince) with vanilla notes. Fruit driven on the palate, the attack is fresh, followed by a round and supple texture. Flattering oaky notes appear on the aftertaste.

Food matches:

White meat, poultry, salads and pasta.

Winemaking: Night and morning harvest. Gentle crushing of the grapes – short maceration on the skin (between 6 and 12 hours) in order to get aromatic complexity – light pressing – pre-fermenting oxygenation of one part of the Chardonnay to keep freshness – controlled Alcoholic fermentation in vats (18-20°C / 65-68°F)

Soil: A wide variety of soils such as sand, clay, chalk, schist, gravel and pebbles.
Climate: Selection of vines located in the coolest areas of the Languedoc region near Limoux (wide temperature range between cool nights and warm days) and in the Gard region where the weather is warmer. The wine combines the strength and the freshness of the Limo
Aging: Maturation with stirring of the lees.

A classically styled rose from the wine's spiritual home in Bandol in Provence, Southern France made with 50% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache and 25% Cinsault.

Bleu Rivage rose has an intense melon pink colour and a nose that is slightly spicy with accompanying hints of citrus fruits. On the palate, this wine is robust and round with good balance, and a grapefruit-like finish.

Le Petit Comptoir is a perfect bistro wine for sharing great moments amongst friends. This is a luminous Vin de France for drinking whilst young. Each bottle is hand-dipped in wax to seal it, in a mark of the care given to this production. 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, issued from sustainable viticulture. 

This cuvee is produced at 18000 bottles. Vinification Alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation take place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged and bottled the next spring to preserve the fruity characteristics. 

Tasting notes - Bright ruby color. Intense fruity nose, with hints of red fruits. Palate is elegant and round, with ripe tannins and a lingering finish. An easy drinking wine which will be appreciated in its early years. Pairs best with grilled meat, poultry, and cheese.

A pale rose made from the gentle, direct pressing of two pink skinned grapes, Grenache Gris, Clairette Rose and Carignan Gris.  The grapes soak up the Languedoc’s sunshine until harvest, then the juice ferments spontaneously (including malolactic) and spends a few months on its fine lees before an unfiltered bottling. Bright and lively, with ample flesh and layers of texture.

The Amedee cuvée by Philippe Brisebarre is a dry Vouvray vinified and aged in 500 litre barrels. It reveals subtle aromas of white-fleshed fruits, accompanied by gentle vanilla notes. On the palate, this wine offers a beautiful liveliness and great aromatic complexity, harmoniously combining the flavours of ripe fruits, honey, and gentle spices. 

Brother and sister Pierre and Veronique took over the domain from their parents in 1993 and have carefully maximised the huge potential of the estate. Their wines are superb and constantly gain more and more recognition from discerning wine lovers and critics. 

The vineyard has now more than doubled in size without diminishing the quality which is quite a rare achievement.

The Petit Closi Muscat sec is a white wine made from 50% Muscat petit grain and 50% Muscat of Alexandria. 

The result is an aromatic and dry muscat that is a beautiful golden yellow colour in the glass and offers powerful but elegant flavours of apricot and melon with a honeyed finish.

A light, chillable red made from Nielluccio, a relative of Sangiovese that?s widely grown in the north of Corsica, with Merlot. Uncomplicated, fragrant and dry, Nielluccio brings the aromatics and character, Merlot brings it?s supple, round profile.

From the southern part of the island of Corsica, Casa Rossa produce wines from both local and international varieties. The vineyards are situated on clay-limestone soils. While Corsica is territorially French, it certainly has a strong identity of its own.

Wild berries and ripe plums combine with complex spicy notes in this super affordable Malbec from the Pays D'Oc in the south of France. Malbec is scarce in the Languedoc region and this wine is made from 30 year old vines, which come from four different vineyards. The vineyards are on the slopes of the Orb Valley for complexity and richness, the foot of Montagne d’Alaric, northern Corbières, lends roundness and complexity and central Corbières for complexity and spice.

Southern French rose has a well earnt reputation for being the world's standard bearer when it comes to dry, light bodied pale coloured wines. This one ticks all the boxes of a great year round refresher. Its beautiful packaging just adds to the delicious allure.