Chateau Fortia, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateau Fortia producerede allerede vin i starten af det 19. århundrede, men kom for alvor på landkortet i 1919, da Pierre Le Roy overtog ejendommen, og i 1929 var med til at skabe det franske Appellation Controlée system.
Klassisk ejendom, som i mange år blev drevet af Baron Pierre Le Roy. Pierre Le Roy var uddannnet advokat og højt dekoreret krigsveteran, da han kom til Chateauneuf...
Vivid purple. Smoke-accented black and blue fruits, licorice and olive paste on the deeply perfumed nose. Chewy, sweet and focused on the palate, offering intense black currant and bitter cherry flavors firmed by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows the richness of the vintage to good effect, but there's real energy and structure here as well, courtesy of its uncommon varietal makeup. Finishes long, dry and firm; rigid tannins build steadily and add framework and solid grip. It'll be interesting to see how this singular rendition of Châteauneuf turns out with the age that it demands, and I wouldn't be surprised if my potential score turns out to be conservative, maybe even extremely so. - Josh Raynolds
Significantly more complete than this estate's other cuvées, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is rich, ripe and lusty, with apricot-like ripe stone fruit notes joining the cherry and berry fruit. Hints of blueberry, cracked pepper and dried fennel seed add complexity to this full-bodied beauty, a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre that's atypical for the region. If finishes long and supple, marked by licorice notes.
Significantly more complete than this estate's other cuvées, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is rich, ripe and lusty, with apricot-like ripe stone fruit notes joining the cherry and berry fruit. Hints of blueberry, cracked pepper and dried fennel seed add complexity to this full-bodied beauty, a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre that's atypical for the region. If finishes long and supple, marked by licorice notes. - Joe Czerwinski
Opaque ruby. A pungent, deeply perfumed bouquet evokes dried cherry, black currant, olive, garrigue and smoked meat, lifted by a peppery nuance. Juicy, smoke-tinged dark berry and floral pastille flavors carry suggestions of allspice and licorice that build with air. Fleshy but energetic as well, offering strong closing thrust and gentle tannins that come in late to add grip. I slightly underestimated this wine's potential last year. - Josh Raynolds
