2007 Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance Chateauneuf du Pape

2007 Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance

95+ JD

Featured Review

A seriously concentrated, full-bodied Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has hardly budged since release, the 2007 Domaine de Cristia Renaissance (60% tank aged Grenache and 40% barrel aged Mourvèdre) is still primary and youthful, with blockbuster aromas of blackberry liqueur, vanilla, graphite, mineral, roasted meats, and subtle garriuge on the nose. Thrilling stuff on the palate, with awesome purity, decadent fruit, and solid underlying structure, this thrilling 2007 needs another 3-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well over the following two decades. Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 95+ JD

Very plump and ripe, with black cherry, plum and blackberry fruit flavors that verge on jammy, before fresh spice, star anise and floral notes chime in to give added definition and length. Flaunts the showy side of the vintage. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2025. 500 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 95 WS

The monster wine is the inky purple-colored 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance. This wine has only been made by Baptiste in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007. It is a blend of 60% Grenache and 30% Mourvedre, with the balance Syrah from 50- to 100-year-old vines. Despite the fact that there is only 30% Mourvedre in the blend, it seems to be the Mourvedre that dominates the wine at this stage of its development. It is very tannic, but the tannins are sweet and ripe, and the color an opaque purple. The wine displays notes of roasted meats, incense, and flowers, in a super-powerful, layered, multi-dimensional style. However, patience is required, despite the fact that this is a softer, more supple version of the behemoth that Cristia produced with this cuvee in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.

Domaine de Cristia has come on like gangbusters over the last decade, since proprietors Baptiste Grangeon took over from his father in 1999. All of Cristia’s vineyards are in the northeast sector of the appellation, with their sensational 100% Grenache Vieilles Vignes cuvee coming from 70- to 80-year-old vines in sandy soil not far from the Rayas vineyard. They apparently only made one cuvee in 2008, a normal occurrence in Chateauneuf du Pape given that vintage is average to just above-average in quality.

Robert Parker | 94+ RP

Ruby with a bright rim. Exotic scents of black raspberry, cherry-cola, garrigue and minerals. A smoky quality adds interest to the sweet red and dark berry flavors, which show impressive depth and clarity. Manages the trick of being rich and vibrant at the same time. Finishes sweet, creamy and very long. I prefer the brightness of this wine to the density of the Vieilles Vignes right now.

Vinous Media | 91-94 VM

Type of Wine	Chateauneuf du Pape : You can expect Chateauneuf-du-Pape reds selection to wash over you with a combination of leather, game, tar, and delicious dried herbs, creating a spice mixture that commands respect from even the harshest non-believers. Chateauneuf-du-Pape whites are ever so refreshing and bold, frolicking in a field of floral notes and earthy minerals.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Rhone : While the Northern Rhone produces only about 5% of all wine coming out of the Rhone Valley, the quality of these bottles is not to be underestimated. The terroir in this region is heavenly for growing Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne or Rousanne - the only permitted grapes in the AOC. Picture this - the Rhone flows through the valley like an azure thread piercing the landscape, a reflection of the dreamy skies hovering above the vineyards, ready to produce rainfall at a moment's notice. The rocky soil of the steep, almost surreal hillsides provides a bountiful feast for the grapevine roots. The flavors and texture of Northern Rhone wines tell you everything you need to know as soon as your lips touch the elixir, like a whisper in the vigorous valley winds As per the Southern Rhone wine, it is like taking a plunge into a whirlpool of juicy flavor. Every sip explodes forward like a crashing tsunami, bathing your tastebuds in delicious aromas of prune, chocolate, grass, and black fruit. The wines are so compelling that it can be hard to drink them casually at a social event without getting lost in their intricate textures and emotional depths. Let's set sail together, and drink deep from these luxurious bottles with our friends and loved ones.

Producer	Domaine de Cristia : Born in the 1950s in the lieu-dit of la Cristia, for which it takes its name, Domaine de Cristia had a humble beginning on 2 hectares of Grenache vines in the Southern Rhone Valley. Its founder, Etienne Grangeon, procured the small plot and began his family’s winegrowing business. Three generations later, this family with great love of its terroir, has expanded its holdings and has become one of the greatest producers in the appellation of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. In the early days, like many Rhone producers of that time, the entire production of Cristia was sold in bulk to negociants. In 1963, Alain Grangeon joined his father in the family business, and the eventual control of the domaine would be under his direction. His passion for viticulture would lead Cristia to new heights, elevating its quality and helping to bring the domaine closer to a new era. Under his tutelage the expansion of the family estate began with the planting of improving grape varieties such as Syrah and Mourvedre. His knowledge and respect of predominately sandy soils and the varieties known to excel in them was fantastic foresight. This endeavor contributed to the rise in quality and ultimately to the Cristia Identity. In 1999 Baptiste and Dominique joined their father, Alain, and together brought Cristia into the modern era. The domaine had been bottling their own wines at miniscule levels and while it was not produced for commercial sale, it was a prelude to the future of the domaine. The year Alain’s two sons joined the domaine was also the year that Cristia would begin bottling 100% of its production. With this accomplished, Baptiste and Dominique went to work in optimizing plot selection so as to produce high quality wines for aging in bottles and to market them both in France and for export. Today, three generations of winegrowers, with their affection and care of the terroir, their passion for viticulture and respect for nature cultivate 42 hectares of Domaine de Cristia, spread across multiple appellations. The family estate now has 9-hectares in Cotes-Du-Rhone Villages, 5-hectares in Cotes-Du-Rhone and another 9-hectares used for Vin de Pays (wine from France). Their ambitious nature has also allowed Domaine de Cristia to grow, build and become more anchored within the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape appellation with 18 hectares now under vine. The terroir of Cristia’s Chateauneuf-Du-Pape plots are composed of 90% sandy soils, mostly found in the la Cristia locality. These parcels benefit from a north-east exposure which gives the vines a beautiful freshness and produces grapes with supple, elegant tannins, lending to longevity of the wine. A single parcel located in l’Arnesque farther east in the appellation is covered with rolled pebbles cast among the soil at the time of the glaciers and enjoys permanent sunshine. The pebbles are vital to the vines as they absorb the sun’s heat during the day and transfer it into the soil overnight optimizing phenolic and alcoholic maturities. This combination of terroirs is instrumental in obtaining the characteristic of Domaine de Cristia wine. The Cotes-Du-Rhone, Cotes-Du-Rhone Villages and Vin de Pays plots are spread over the lieu-dit of Courthezon very near the appellation of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, and possess a terroir of essentially sandy soils, allowing it to produce wines in the same lineage as the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. The predominant grape variety used to produce Cristia wines is Grenache, with it being 85% of its vines among all its plots. Syrah is planted to 10%, Mourvedre at 5% and Cinsault is a new arrival to the blending process bringing with it a new aromatic palette. Clairette and Roussanne are planted in miniscule amounts and used to produce the domaine’s white wines. Domaine de Cristia produces four Chateauneuf-Du-Papes, three red and a white, with a total annual production of around 4,500 cases. The domaine also produce multiple Cotes-Du-Rhones and a single-varietal, Grenache Vin de pays. Three generations of winegrowing knowledge has brought the Cristia family domaine from two to 42 hectares, elevating its quality and placing them in the category of the appellation’s best wines. Their philosophy has been to cultivate the land as naturally as possible allowing nature to dictate the terms while using their experience to best comply with it.