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Château de Nalys

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Vin 2019

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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The realization of the Guigal family’s dream of Châteauneuf-du-Pape: three extraordinary vineyards coming together in an intensely expressive, utterly complete wine. The Grand Vin defines the estate style with a precision of fruit, spice and minerality and notably, a beautifully composed structure that unfolds and builds (and builds).

As with all the Nalys wines, the Grand Vin is produced from all three vineyards, but notably 50% of the blend comes from La Crau, which lends the intense structure. The wine is primarily intense old vine Grenache, with a large portion of Syrah, and then additions of several other varieties, including most of the estate’s Mourvedre.

Vineyard

The composition is 27% from the Nalys vineyard, 50% from La Crau, and 23% from Bois Senechal, from vines averaging 45 years of age, with the typically low yields of Châteauneuf-du-Pape of 35 hl/ha. The grape varietal composition is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 8% Mourvedre, 2% Counoise amd Muscardin. All 13 permitted Châteauneuf grapes are planted on all 3 vineyard plots at Nalys.

Vineyard: Nalys

Surrounding the estate, the “Nalys” vineyard has very fine soils that create supple wines that are extremely silky and retain freshness. These are some of the oldest soils in Châteauneuf, underlying many of the other soil compositions in the appellation, made up of red sandstone, a sandy clay soil, and covered limestone with some soft sandstone at the vineyard edges. This plot is directly adjoining – over the hill – from Rayas, the great example of finesse in Châteauneuf. Official lieu-dit in land registries is “Grande Pierre”.

Vineyard: La Crau

“La Crau” is arguably the single greatest vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Nalys has 38 acres located as a single center-north block. It is famous specifically for structured, complex and intensely expressive wines. Naly’s holdings are the highest elevation of the Crau plateau and bordering forest they own, providing slightly cooler temperatures and ideal drainage – the sweet spot. The soils are made up of the famous galets: large round pebbles derived from the Rhône river. Direct neighbors are Henri Bonneau, La Janasse (used for their Vieilles Vignes), and other leading properties.

Vineyard: Bois Senechal

Adjoining La Crau, Nalys is the sole owner of the top of the plateau. Like La Crau, containing galets, though slightly smaller stones, and sandier soil composition; the wines are slightly less structured, more evenly composed. The site of their best Mourvedre plot, Bois Senechal also has fairly unique terraced vines in rows sloping back to the winery. Neighbors are further below the plateau, Mont Olivet, Domaine de la Solitude. Official lieu-dit is “Bois Seneseau”.

Winemaking

Manual harvesting and sorting was followed by vinification in conical wooden vats, with fermentation lasting around 4 weeks. The wine was then aged for 24 months, of which 30% was in wood (barrels and foudres) and 70% in concrete.

Vintage

2019 is another excellent vintage for the Rhône Valley, with exceptional potential quality in both the North and South. A dry spring was followed by a moderate summer featuring three distinct heat spikes; harvest occurred normally in mid-September. The grapes were ripe and concentrated with excellent natural acidity, and the wines are rich but balanced and expressive. Another superb vintage for the region.

Tasting Note

Deep, dark and dense red with an intense nose of red and black berries, spice. The palate is a beautiful composition, silky tannins, power and elegance. Overall, the wine is expressive, noble and complete.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Counoise, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah

Appellation

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Farming

Vineyards are farmed organically, awaiting certification.

Alcohol

15.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$125

Reviews

(94-96 )

"Rich, plush and velvety"

Wine Advocate (94-96) - September 1, 2022 The final blend had been made at the time of my visit to the Guigal cellars in Ampuis, where I tasted the 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Vin prior to bottling. Black cherries, blackberries and just a hint of of toasty oak mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, plush and velvety, finishing long and harmonious despite obvious concentration and power.

(94-96 )

"Rich, plush and velvety"

Wine Advocate (94-96) - September 21, 2022 "Black cherries, blackberries and just a hint of of toasty oak mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, plush and velvety, finishing long and harmonious despite obvious concentration and power. " -J.C 5/22

95

"Impressively lively"

Vinous - September 21, 2022 "Saturated ruby. Expansive, smoke- and mineral-accented black raspberry, cherry cola, cassis, baking spice and succulent herb scents show outstanding detail and lift. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering vibrant red/blue fruit liqueur, candied lavender, spicecake and licorice flavors that stain the palate. Powerful yet impressively lively and focused on the extremely long, floral- and spice-driven finish, which is framed by steadily building tannins." -J.R 12/21

96

"Elegance and Finesse"

Jeb Dunnuck - September 21, 2022 “The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Grand Vin offers more depth, with a darker core of fruit as well as complex notes of peppery garrigue, loamy earth, and incense. The balance here is spot on, it's medium to full-bodied, and has great tannins, all making for a brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape with tons to love. It shows the sunny style of the vintage as well but doesn't lose a beat with regards to elegance and finesse. " -J.D 12/22

95

"This lures you in"

Wine Spectator - November 2, 2022 “This lures you in with a well of slightly warmed cassis mixed with raspberry pâte de fruit and mulled bitter cherry. On the back end, waves of menthol, tobacco, cast iron and warm earth mix in with the fruit. [...] Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Vaccarèse.." -J.M 11/22

(95+ )

"Raspberry and black cherry"

Wine Advocate (95+) - October 5, 2023 “Hints of vanilla, menthol and cedar gently mark the nose of the 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Grand Vin, which saw about 20% new oak in its élevage. There's plenty of raspberry and black cherry to balance out the ledger in this balanced, age-worthy effort. It's full-bodied and labeled a full 1% higher in alcohol than its Saintes Pierres sibling, with a rich, ripe mouthfeel, ample concentration and a long, velvety finish that adds hints of salted licorice. Tasty stuff." -J.C. 9/23

Trade Materials

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Vin Bottle Shot

Videos

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    Chateau de Nalys Rouge

    August 16, 2019 - This informational video demonstrates the various geographical location of Chateau de Nayls Chateauneuf-du-Pape Grand Vin vineyards.

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