Les Clefs d'Or Les Craus Centenaires 2010
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Robert
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One of Deydier’s finest offerings (but very limited in availability as only 650 cases are produced) is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Craus Centenaires. Made from old vines (some are 114 years of age, although the specific percentage included in the blend was not specified) planted in eastern Chateauneuf du Pape, it is a blend of 80% tank-aged Grenache and 20% Syrah aged in small barrels. Abundant aromas and flavors of black raspberries intermixed with floral, crushed rock and forest floor notes are present in this dark plum/ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied, fleshy, succulent 2010. It possesses zesty acidity as well as the classic hallmark of freshness and precision offered by this vintage.
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Wine Spectator
A dark winey red, offering notes of steeped currant, black cherry preserves and fig paste, lined with singed apple wood and licorice root accents. A briary hint on the finish adds cut and depth. Best from 2016 through 2024.
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2015-
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Jeb
Dunnuck
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Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.