Chateau Gigognan Chateauneuf Du Pape Clos du Roi 2016, Rhone Valley, France

In the heart of the Rhone Valley, a 10 minute drive from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, lies Chateau Gigognan, a vineyard whose winemaking tradition has deep roots in the history of the region. In 1987 Anne and Jacques Callet became the new owners of the domain. Passionate about the history of the property, in 1990 they began a complete renovation of the Chateau in the traditional Provencal country-house style, to return it to its former aristocratic glory. In 1996 work began on a new cellar. Having made the decision to convert their 30 ha of Chateauneuf du Pape and 42 ha of Cotes du Rhone to organic farming, the vineyard was awarded ECOCERT certification in 2009. Grape varieties: Grenache 70%, Syrah 30%. The vines are located in the southern part of the appellation, where the soil is pebbly. Winemaking: Manual harvested with drastic selection. Grapes are crushed and destemmed. Each variety is fermented separately in heat regulated stainless steel tanks with regular pumping over and punching of the cap for maximum extraction. Ageing happens in large oak casks for a period of 24 months. Tasting Notes: Very low yields for this Chateauneuf du Pape. Fine aromas of ripe fruit and underwood, powerful and generous with fine and subtle tannins.