2001 Xavier Vignon "Cuvée Ange" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Staff Reviews

KM

Keith Mabry

Keith Mabry

K&L Buyer

One of the most compelling Chateauneufs I have tasted in some time comes in the form of this unique release from Xavier Vignon. Held in barrel, with topping off, for almost two decades, this wine has the broad appeal of capturing the essence of a Chateauneuf while approaching something almost completely new. Aromas of perfumed fruit, potpourri, exotic spices and burnished leather are just some of the pristine notes coming off this perfectly aged bottle. From a great vintage, from a great producer (commemorating his son's birth year) and from impeccable sources, you can drink 2001 in as clean and pure a state as possible because the wine was bottled only recently. There is so much to love here!

Notes

The key to Xavier Vignon's success as a winemaker is the relationships he has developed over his decades as a consulting winemaker. His son Ange was born in 2001 which also happened to be an exceptional vintage. Xavier started setting aside small bits of cuvees he sourced from his partner wineries from that iconic year. Those all went into storage in his cellar in vat and they were all recently reunited and bottled. The end result is this insightful look into one of the great vintages of the last few decades, perfectly preserved in tank and bottled for your enjoyment. It is downright amazing stuff, showing maturity and freshness. Still capable of aging for another decade, it will be a treat to revisit this when Ange turns 30 in 2031!