CDP Senechaux, Domaine des Sénéchaux 2015

The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape is 61% Grenache, 22% Syrah and the rest Mourvèdre, and offers the sweet red fruits that this cuvée always shows as well as notes of crushed flowers, violets and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and lively, with bright acidity, it’s a fresh, elegant wine from this estate that will keep for a decade.

Ripe and juicy on the nose with strawberries, cherries and damsons, there is just a hint of something herbal and spicy. The palate is plush, round and ripe with moderate acidity giving way too oodles of juicy red fruits. The sweet spice comes through in undertones on the finish, but for now this is all primary, ripe, intense red fruit. The tannins are soft, ripe and already well integrated. This is going to be drinkable as soon as it is physical, but has the power to stay the course.

Bois Sénéchaux. pH 3.65, TA 3.2 g/l. 61% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre, 22% Syrah. Partial whole bunch. Vinified in cement, aged in foudre (55%), used barrels (30%), cement (15%).
Tasted blind. Dark ruby. Thick and gamey. Very substantial, complex wine that is actually in balance. Serious, rather sophisticated Châteauneuf. With a future. Good persistence.