Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines 2019, Rhone, France

The official history of Domaine Grand Veneur in the Southern Rhone Valley dates back to 1826, when the Jaume family first planted vines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Jumping ahead from the early days of Mathieu Jaume to the modern era for Domaine Grand Veneur, five generations later in 1979, Alain Jaume and Odile Jaume took over the traditionally managed Domaine Grand Veneur. In 1986, under the direction of Alain Jaume, Grand Veneur became perhaps the first estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape to experiment with aging some grape varieties in new, French oak barrels. In those days, they owned 4.5 hectares of vines. Alain Jaume Domaine Grand Veneur owns 16 hectares of vines in the Chateauneuf du Pape region. Aside from their vines in Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Grand Veneur has plantings in Lirac and in the Cotes du Rhone appellations. Domaine Grand Veneur Les Origines is produced from a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah. The vines are more than 65 years of age. Modern in style, the wine is aged in a combination of new and used, French oak barrels for 16 months. Rich, lush, juicy and fruity, with a freshness, energy and a spicy, black raspberry, herb and thyme finish.