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Château de Nalys

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Vin 2018

Chateauneuf-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 59% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 3% Counoise, and 1% Vacarese. All 13 permitted Châteaneuf 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 Châteaneuf. 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 18 months, of which 30% was in wood (barrels and foudres) and 70% in concrete.

Vintage

Following the drought-affected 2017 vintage, 2018 continued the same pattern, with only modest spring rainfall before a relatively hot and humid summer. Disease pressure affected the size of the crop and caused uneven ripening in some areas. Because of these issues, the 2018 harvest at Château Nalys progressed over 5 full weeks in September and October in order to insure proper physiological maturity throughout the entire crop. As was the case in 2017, the crop was very small, and production was only about 50% of normal for the reds, and only 25% of normal for the white wines. Fortunately, the quality of the fruit was extraordinary, resulting in wines with great structure and concentration, supported by fresh acidities. A difficult vintage but an exceptional result in Châteauneuf du Pape.

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, Vacarese

Appellation

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Farming

Vineyards are farmed organically, awaiting certification.

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$105

Reviews

97

Wine Enthusiast - August 11, 2021 Cellar Selection "This powerful, complex red highlights Grenache augmented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Vacarèse. Matured partially in oak, it offers black-plum flavors muted by shades of earth, sun-scorched garrigue and a lingering vein of salty minerality. While soft in tannin, the wine needs time to tease out its smoky, stony nuances.”

95

Wine Spectator - January 19, 2022 Top 10 Wines of 2021 (#10) "A bright savory note leads off this red, followed quickly by sanguine and bay leaf accents, all melding nicely with the core of steeped blackberry, raspberry and plum fruit flavors as they move through the rich, licorice root–tinged finish.”  - JM

93

"Bold raspberry and blueberry"

Wine Advocate - May 10, 2022 The full-bodied 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Vin delivers plenty of bold raspberry and blueberry notes. It's almost creamy across the mid-palate but turns a bit more open-knit and coarser-textured on the lingering finish. Still, it's a delicious effort, well worth drinking.

94

"Undeniably delicious"

Jeb Dunnuck - August 15, 2022 “The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Grand Vin is a brilliant wine in the vintage and offers a smorgasbord-like array of black raspberry and darker cherry fruits as well as orange blossom, candied violets, and peppery garrigue. Full-bodied and concentrated, with ripe, sweet tannins, it has the vintage's forward, fruit-loaded, undeniably delicious profile front and center.” J.D 8/22

94

"Focused and succinct"

James Suckling - September 2, 2022 “Aromas of blackberry, cocoa, black cherry and a hint of cedar. Full-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Tannins and fruit are very nicely integrated with real composure and structure. Focused and succinct. Coffee and plum. This will age very nicely. 59% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 3% Counoise, 1% Vacarese.” J.D 8/22

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