2018 Domaine La Boutinière Châteauneuf du Pape Grande Réserve Vieilles Vignes

Domaine La Boutiniere was founded in 1920 by Félix Vidal. This family-owned company is now run by fourth-generation winemaker, Frédéric Boutin, who has been the owner and winemaker since 1997. Domaine La Boutiniere has 27 acres of vineyards in eight different parcels within Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including the Crus of La Crau, Le Boucou, Coste Froid, and Roumiguière. Vines are an average of 70 years old and the wines are produced from all 13 grape varieties allowed in the Châteauneuf appellation. 

This Cuvée Grande-Réserve Rouge is a plot selection of old vines planted in 1902 on the famous lieudit of “La Crau.” This parcel grows at an elevation of 394 feet above sea level on a sandy soils covered with large quartz pebbles called “Galets” over a red clay subsoil. The average age of the vines is 100 years.  Manual harvest with sorting in the vineyard and in the cellar. 80% is destemmed. The grape varieties are vinified separately in wooden vats, with pumping and load shedding, a maceration of 25–45 days, depending on the grape variety. 

The blend is 78% Grenache, 16% Mourvèdre, 6% Syrah while the wine has been aged 20% in barrels and 80% in conical wooden vats for a period of 12 months.