Chateauneuf-du-Pape les Saintes Vierges, Domaine Santa Duc

Dark and meaty nose, but with terrific freshness. With aeration, wild blackberry and elderberry notes unfold. Very concentrated and structured with a dense and dry core that some may find a bit daunting, but really impresses us. Incredibly focused and fresh finish that's laser beam straight. Iron firmness at the powerful long finish. From a co-planting of 80% grenache, 10% mourvedre and 10% counoise growing on sandy soil. 75% whole bunch.

Kvintessensen af grenache i den mest feminine form; ren, sødmefuld, læskende. Elegant og let på tå. Stadig koncentreret og intens, og mens den er ganske åben, skal den nok holde 10 år eller mere. Bravo, Benjamin (Gras). - Niels Lillelund

En indkogt mosaik af alt det gode i Châteauneuf du Pape. Et stormløb af ufortyndet testosteron på flaske. Og samtidig sart, likorøs og æterisk med en poleret syre tilsat en flig af støddæmpende frugtsødme. Mama mia – ultra koncentreret frugtbombe med en stråleglas af elegance. Vinexpressens vinpoliti er på lykkepiller!

De skønneste bærnoter i kombination med lidt grønne provenceurter stiger op af glasset. En svag animalsk tone fornemmes, men det hele er så let, luftigt og lækkert, at man bare må indsnuse duften. I munden er frugten i fuld fokus med en renhed, der gør vinen komplet uimodståelig.

For blot et årti tilbage handlede de fleste châteuneuf’er om muskelkraft og mørk frugtkoncentration. Den vej har flere og flere af producenterne valgt at dreje væk fra, og enkelte kører endda stik modsat. Domaine Santa Ducs opfattelse af châteaunuf du pape er en vin, som er elegant, rødfrugtet og let til bens. De skønneste bærnoter i kombination med lidt grønne provenceurter stiger op af glasset. En svag animalsk tone fornemmes, men det hele er så let, luftigt og lækkert, at man bare må indsnuse duften. I munden er frugten i fuld fokus med en renhed, der gør vinen komplet uimodståelig.

From the lightest, sandiest soils in the Gras Châteauneuf stable, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is a blend of 80% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and 2% Cousoise. Befitting its origins, it's the most perfumed of the three wines this year, with floral, rose-like notes, a veritable potpourri of spice and herb shadings and a vibrant core of red berries. It's labeled (like the others) at 14% alcohol but feels lighter on the palate, soaring in silky arches of intermingled red berries and delicate tannins, then lingering elegantly on the finish. - Joe Czerwinski

Another fine, elegant example of the appellation, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is mostly Grenache, with the balance Mourvèdre and a tiny splash of Counoise. Scents of roses, lavender and purple raspberries give this wine immediate charm, and while it's full-bodied, it's also silky and pure, with an almost airy feel on the palate and terrific length. - Joe Czerwinski

Lurid ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays ripe red and blue fruit, Moroccan spice and floral qualities, and a smoky mineral topnote builds with air. Sweet, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering cherry preserve, Chambord, spicecake and cola flavors that show impressive depth and sharp delineation. The red fruit note carries strongly through a strikingly long, gently tannic finish that leaves behind a sexy lavender pastille note. - Josh Raynolds

Brilliant violet. Mineral-accented cherry and raspberry preserve scents show excellent clarity and suggestions of garrigue and allspice. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, cherry compote and floral pastille flavors and a spicy kick of white pepper. The floral nuance carries through an impressively long finish framed by smooth, interwoven tannins. - Josh Raynolds

Rich, full-bodied and creamy-textured while simultaneously appearing almost weightless, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges looks even better than last year. Cola, spice and stone fruit notes provide plenty of flavor interest, lingering on the long, lush finish. - Joe Czerwinski

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is the most flattering of Santa Duc's current releases, offering lushness and generosity on the palate, notes of cherries and licorice, creamy-supple tannins and a mouthwatering finish. It's a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise. - Joe Czerwinski

Made from 90% Grenache, 9% Mourvèdre and a splash of Counoise, aged all in foudre, 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges offers more dark fruit, leather, earth and roasted garrigue to go with medium to full-bodied, focused, streamlined style on the palate. Drink this pure, elegant and classy 2014 over the coming 6-8 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

Bright ruby. Ripe boysenberry, licorice, lavender and a hint vanilla on the highly perfumed nose. Concentrated and expansive in the mouth; juicy acidity gives vivacity to fleshy black raspberry and floral pastille flavors. The very long, seamless finish features velvety tannins, a touch of white pepper and lingering smokiness. Ample, for sure, but there's very good energy here as well. - Josh Raynolds