2020 Baron de Montfaucon "Cuvée Bimard" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Cherries, violets, black olives and gravel on the nose. Full-bodied with chalky tannins. Textured and layered with a decent amount of cherry character on the palate, giving it a joyful and seductive feel despite the structure. Well-balanced with a vivid finish. 50% grenache, 30% mourvedre and 20% cinsault.

The wines of Montfaucon first arrived on our shelves with the 1997 vintage, when a young Rudi de Pins had just returned from stages around the world. His path took him through Napa Valley, UC Davis, and even to Australia, where he worked with the legendary Henschke family of Hill of Grace fame. Returning home, he took over the family estate in Lirac, which until then had been selling most of its fruit to the local cooperative. Over the years, Rudi’s Côtes du Rhône and Lirac bottlings have become some of our most beloved and enduring wines. Never one to stand still, Rudi gradually expanded his vision. After producing a first Châteauneuf-du-Pape from a small parcel of old-vine Grenache inherited by his vineyard manager, Montfaucon was able in 2019 to acquire a prized plot in the southern part of the appellation: Clos Bimard, where galets roulés (rounded stones) and calcareous clay soils dominate. Only the second vintage from this historic site, the wine is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. It opens with expressive aromas of black cherry, toasted herbs, and a hint of grilled meat. On the palate, it is silky and seductive, with depth and energy but without excess weight. We’ve come to expect excellence from Rudi, but this new cuvée has quickly established itself as one of his most compelling wines—essential for lovers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a must-try for anyone who treasures the Montfaucon range.