2016 Domaine des Senechaux Châteauneuf-du-Pape
SKU #1435871
95 points
Jeb Dunnuck
As to the red, rocking levels of kirsch, black raspberries, toasted spices, and garrigue emerge from the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It's full-bodied, concentrated, pure and elegant, with sweet tannin, and an opulent, flamboyant style. Based largely on Grenache, with smaller amounts of Syrah and Mourvèdre, it has fine tannin, impeccable balance, and a great finish. Along with the 2010, it’s the finest wine to date from this estate.
(8/2018)
94 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I appear to have underestimated the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape when I tasted it last year, perhaps because of its recent bottling. It's now showing more weight and richness, bold raspberry and cherry fruit alongside classic spice-box notes and a broad, expansive feel on the palate. (JC)
(8/2019)
93 points
Vinous
Vivid ruby. Powerful red berry preserve, floral pastille and Asian spice aromas show excellent clarity and mineral lift. Intense flavors of raspberry, cherry cola, vanilla and lavender deepen steadily as the wine opens up. The floral and red fruit notes carry strongly through a clinging, energetic finish framed by smooth, slow-building tannins. (JR)
(12/2019)
93 points
Wine Enthusiast
In this wine, complexities of forest floor, moss, licorice and sweet spice lend complexity to pristine cassis and black cherry. It's a succulent wine laden with rich black fruit and ripe, integrated tannins that murmur on the finish. Appealing already the wine should hold through 2028. (AI)
(12/2019)
92 points
Wine Spectator
Focused and fresh, with a good racy edge to the mix of red and black cherry and raspberry coulis flavors. Black tea, lavender, licorice snap and graphite notes line the finish. Accessible now, but will age nicely in the medium-term. (JM)
(11/2019)
K&L Notes
Domaine Senechaux lies in the heart of what is known as the Sheriff's Wood - Les Bois Senechaux. The current landscape of the property was developed primarily in the 1950s and tended by the Raynaud family. In 2006, the estate was purchased by the Jean-Michel Cazes of Lynch-Bages fame and its newest iteration began. The wines are made classically but with a modern eye towards deriving the best from each grape. The blend is made up of 47% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 19% Mourvèdre and a mix of 2% Cinsault and Vaccarèse. Syrah and Mourvèdre are aged in one-year-old barrels from Lynch Bages while the Grenache sees a mix of some wood and large vat. The composition is always a seamless blend of the best that this region has to offer.