2016 Bosquet des Papes "Chante le Merle" Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
SKU #1378317
97 points
Wine Advocate
The all whole-bunch 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes is 85% Grenache, with the balance a mix of Mourvèdre and Syrah. The vines are all 80 to 90 years old, selected from parcels in Brusquières, Gardiole, Mont-Redon and Pignan. Glorious raspberry and cherry fruit picks up hints of mint and some stemmy notes, but they're remarkably well-integrated and should be completely absorbed within a couple of years. Full-bodied, rich and creamy in texture, this tour de force remains lively, silky and long on the finish. With 1,000 cases produced, it should be reasonably priced and reasonably available—an increasingly rare combination in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. (JC)
(8/2018)
96 points
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes is much more classic in style when compared to the La Gloire de Mon Grand-Père. It’s a non-destemmed blend of 86% Grenache and the balance equal parts Mourvèdre and Syrah, aged in a mix of foudre, concrete tanks, and demi-muids. Classic notes of black fruits, smoked herbs, seaweed, licorice, and pepper as well tons of minerality all emerge from this powerful, full-bodied, structured 2016 that has the purity of fruit and balance that’s the hallmark of this great, great vintage. 96+
(8/2018)
95 points
Vinous
Deep, shimmering red. A highly complex, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red and dark berries, potpourri, exotic spices and garrigue and a vibrant mineral nuance builds in the glass. Shows superb depth and focus on the palate, offering deeply pitched raspberry, cherry pie, Asian spice and floral pastille flavors that deftly marry power to delicacy. Finishes sappy, gently tannic and extremely long, leaving behind vibrant mineral, spice and lavender notes. (JR)
(12/2019)
95 points
Wine Enthusiast
Ripe but zingy blackberry and cassis flavors are marked by bramble and peppery spices in this wine. In a vintage better known for brawn and opulence, it's a finessed, stately wine with a zesty mineral backbone and fine, upright tannins. *Cellar Selection* (AI)
(12/2019)
95 points
Wine Spectator
This has a lovely feel, with a silky but persistent structure allowing a range of creamed raspberry, damson plum and boysenberry fruit flavors to glide through, while light rooibos tea, sandalwood and anise accents chime throughout. Shows pretty floral lift at the end. *Highly Recommended* (JM)
(2/2019)
Jancis Robinson
Fragrant green herb scent on the nose – suggestive of some stems in fermentation? Chalky tannin, lovely red fruit on the palate, and finishing with attractive black pepper character. Substantial and flavoursome with sufficient flavour intensity to match the alcohol. 17/20 points (RH)
(10/2017)
