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"More floral on the nose, with the beginning of a brown gradation in the colour. More fluid texture. For the moment a little simple, but with a delicacy in the mouthfeel unusual in such a generous cuvée. 88."
Our cuvée Tradition, 2016.
Michel Bettane
June-July-August 2022 / #28 [EN MAGNUM]
After a fairly mild winter, followed by a cool, dry spring, the summer was hot and dry but not scorching. The marked temperature difference between day and night after Véraison enabled good synthesis of polyphenols. Light rainfall in mid-September enabled the grapes to reach optimum phenolic and technological ripeness, as well as perfect health before harvest.
Harvesting began on 12 September and lasted 6 weeks. Compulsory sorting rejected very few grapes, resulting in an average yield of 32 hl/ha out of a maximum of 35 hl/ha.
The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites were intense, fresh and rich, with plenty of substance on the palate in their early youth. Very expressive Roussannes on exotic fruit, peach and apricot, underpinned by the full, elegant freshness expressed by the Clairettes and Bourboulencs. They slowly begin to round out as they take on fuller, candied, finely spiced and woody notes. And they are always markedly fresh right through to the very long fruity finish.
The 2016 vintage red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines were initially very clean, frank, intense and complex. Depending on the terroir, the Grenache grapes have developed an exceptionally varied range of aromas, combining raspberry, liquorice, garrigue, candied ginger, black fruit and citrus. The blends of terroirs and grape varieties in the 2016 vintage of Châteauneuf-du-Pape red have perfectly expressed all the complexity and finesse that characterise Châteauneuf-du-Pape in its best years.
The maturity of this vintage is far from being reached. The fresh, tannic structure is still bursting with youth and vigour, the fruit aromas are slowly beginning to mellow and the barrel ageing is taking centre stage, developing the spicy, slightly toasty notes. In a few years' time, the tertiary bouquets of jammy fruit, undergrowth and truffle, aged leather and sweet spices will continue to unfold.
A theoretical apogee in 15 to 20 years from now, but it is also possible to think that the wine is best at the moment when you feel like uncorking it and sharing it. Wines can also be appreciated more for their youth than their maturity.
This is also what makes the red and white wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape so special: they can be enjoyed at any moment in their development, depending on individual preferences.