Domaine du Pégau - Châteauneuf du Pape "Cuvée Laurence" 2018 (750ml)
Price: $124.99
| Producer | Domaine du Pégau |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône Valley |
| Varietal | Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Others |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Sku | 202870 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Domaine du Pégau Description
Owned by father and daughter team Paul and Laurence Féraud, Domaine du Pégau is one of the great estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The benchmark producer of traditionally-styled Châteauneuf, Pégau is justifiably ranked among the greatest wines in the world.
The Férauds have been growing vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1670, with titles to their earliest vineyards dating back to 1733. They also grew cherries and olives. In 1964, Paul decided to sell 5,000 bottles under his own label. The era of estate bottling had begun.
The only child of Paul and Odette, Laurence studied business and marketing in Paris, and after various jobs in wines sales, returned to Châteauneuf-du-Pape to help manage the family estate. Laurence was full of ideas, and to differentiate themselves, proposed creating a family domaine with a unique name and label. She and Paul launched Domaine du Pégau in 1987, naming the estate after the terracotta jugs used in the Pope’s summer residence that gave the village its name.
Though the estate has scaled great heights and now includes nearly 52 acres under vine, it is a hallmark that the winegrowing remains deeply traditional and has changed very little in the past 150 years.
Tasting Notes: Crème de cassis, exotic spices and tobacco and leather aromas on the nose. Full-bodied on the palate, with a long, lingering finish.
Wine Pairing: Excellent with strong cheeses, grilled/roasted meats and dishes featuring complex, earthy flavors (like morel mushrooms).
Wine Advocate: 97 Points
Long-time followers of this exemplary estate know that in years when there is no Cuvée da Capo, Pegau releases a Cuvée Laurence, essentially one foudre of the production held back for extended aging. The 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Laurence is a terrific example of this bottling, boasting an especially rich, velvety texture, ample weight and richness on the palate and knockout aromas and flavors of dried cherries and garrigue. Already approachable, it should drink well for close to two decades.
Vinous: 95 Points
The 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence is opulent and sensual, bursting with pungent aromas of raspberry jam, ripe blackberry and black cherry, garrigue, white pepper and crushed rocks. Essentially, this is the same wine as the Cuvée Réservée, but instead of maturing it for two years, Laurence Féraud keeps it locked away for four, leading to more concentration, slightly elevated alcohol and a firmer tannic structure. It concludes with a long-lasting finish.
