| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Southern Rhône > Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Showing the beautiful perfume and sweet fruit that's the hallmark of this estate, the 2003 Domaine Saint Prefert Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre that comes from the southern portion of the AOC. Aged in a combination of demi-muid and tank, it offers a sexy array of sweet kirsch liqueur, roasted herbs de Provence, seaweed, lavender and cigar wrapper to go with a full-bodied, weightless texture that carries layers of fruit, ripe, integrated tannin and superb length. Drinking perfectly, with a seamless, mature feel, it should hold for a number of years and have a gradual decline.
One can’t speak highly enough of the efforts by proprietress Isabel Ferrando, who has resurrected this well-known estate in Chateauneuf du Pape. This is a beautifully made wine that merits serious attention. The deep purple color of the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is even better than the Auguste Favier, with a few extra layers built in. It is not as intensely Provencal aromatically or flavor-wise, but the pepper, the kirsch liqueur, and the creme de cassis are all there, the wine strikingly concentrated, full-bodied, layered, and voluptuously textured with a blockbuster finish. This is stunning wine to drink over the next 10-12 years.
This is showing beautiful, seamless texture now that sets it apart from the atypical profile of the vintage. Exotic flavours here - anise, licorice, blackberry confiture - along with cocoa, floral and tar notes. Dense, but plush and silky smooth, with a raspberry ganache-loaded finish that wont quit. A real beauty, and a heck of a debut release. Drink now through 2025.
Collection Charles Giraud (only 500 cases were produced from 60% Grenache, 40% Mouvèdre). This wine is rich and creamy with hints of Christmas cake and exotic spices.
"Excellent deep, healthy crimson. Extremely round, gamey and sweet. Powerful, lower acidity than the Auguste Favier so it tastes richer and stronger, although it is "only" 14 per cent. Round and rich and more ambitious in terms of structure than the Auguste Favier but both are very good wines with real promise. I’m sure we will be hearing far more of this domaine. 18+." Jancis Robinson
