Chateauneuf du Pape 2004

(Galets roules of Chateauneuf du Pape)


While some are mesmerized by Bordeaux first growth makers and others are chasing that elusive perfect Burgundy bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the pebbles of Chateauneuf du Pape in southern Rhone Valley are awe inspiring in their appearance and resultant wines. Meaning "the little chateau of the pope", Chateauneuf du Pape gets its name when Pope John XXII (1316-1334) set up a summer residence that withstood the vicissitude of time until blown up in 1944 during the waning days of WWII.

Known for its fine red wine, Robert Parker considers the region “the Bordeaux of the Rhone” where the vineyards are littered with rocks, galets roules, as a result of pre-historic Alpine glaciers. While tending to the vine and grapes is backbreaking with those small boulders in the way, absorbing heat and reflecting it back onto the vines and grapes is an unique feature not seen anywhere else in the world. There are oceans of rocks in the north and northwest vineyards of Mont Redon, Cabrieres, and Maucoil. However, in the vineyards of La Crau, due east toward Bedarrides, are some of the finest microclimates and vineyards with gigantic galets roules owned by Vignobles Brunier who makes the famed Domaine du Vieux-Telegraphe.




(Galets roules in action - La Crau)


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