Domaine St Patrice - Old Vines - Châteauneuf du Pape 2015
The Domaine Saint Patrice holds a unique place in the heart of Châteauneuf du Pape, blending centuries-old heritage with a contemporary interpretation of the village's greatest terroirs. The estate's old vines, derived from massal selections of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, take root in a mosaic of soils where brown sands, limestone, and rolled pebbles complement each other to offer depth, finesse, and a very distinctive minerality. This geological diversity, worked with a demanding and respectful viticultural approach, gives birth to wines of rare elegance, where the natural power of the appellation merges into a silky texture and unexpected freshness. The Vieilles Vignes cuvée embodies this quest for balance, revealing a broader and more structured expression than the Clos Saint Patrice while maintaining great aromatic precision. The 2015 vintage, considered one of the most harmonious of the decade, finds here a bright and deeply seductive interpretation.
Domaine Saint Patrice Vieilles Vignes 2015 comes from old vines spread across several named plots of the estate, each parcel adding a complementary nuance to the final blend. The harvest is done by hand, with an extremely rigorous sorting aimed at preserving the purity of the fruit and the perfect ripeness of the berries. A measured proportion of whole cluster is incorporated depending on the grape variety profile, to add energy, verticality, and spicy complexity without compromising the finesse of the tannins. Vinification, carried out in concrete vats, favors slow infusions and gentle extractions, which helps preserve the intrinsic freshness of the Grenache and the noble structure of the Mourvèdre. Aging continues in vats and large containers to preserve the airy dimension and authentic expression of the terroir. The result is a wine that is both deep, ample, and superbly balanced, where the sunny vintage blends with the purity of style typical of the estate.
On tasting, Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2015 presents itself in an intense garnet robe with slightly brick-red reflections, a sign of beautiful evolution. The nose seduces with a complex palette mixing ripe raspberry, black cherry, juicy plum, and crushed strawberry, enhanced by notes of garrigue, licorice, sweet pepper, and dried flowers. On the palate, the attack is generous and silky, carried by ample, bright fruit, supported by fine and perfectly integrated tannins. The structure of the Mourvèdre brings depth and firmness, while the Grenache expresses all its indulgence in a velvety texture. The finish is long, harmonious, marked by garrigue, sweet spices, a smoky hint, and a subtle salinity that asserts the terroir's identity. At the table, this 2015 ideally accompanies roasted leg of lamb, Provençal stew, grilled duck breast, game birds, or a soft-ripened cheese.
Grape varieties: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
