Domaine du Galet des Papes “Le Petit Galet” Côtes-du-Rhône 2023.
80% Grenache, 10% each of Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Barrel aged. I was introduced to the Domaine du Galet des Papes range when I met with 6th generation owner Blandine Mayard in France in February and was completely gobsmacked by the quality. They have 13 hectares of absolutely prime Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard of which a tiny sandy part is classified as “Côtes-du-Rhône” but the quality remains sky-high and it’s aged in barrel for the full-frontal taste experience. Oh, and a galet is a smooth and rounded white river stone (a bit smaller than a soccer ball), the defining geological feature of the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, marking the Rhône’s ancient former river bed, which is where the vineyards now grow today, extensively strewn with galets.
Powerful rose petal and cherry jam perfume, intense fruit, spicy and deep, while the palate is broadly full-bodied but with lighter extraction to allow this to be a drink-now kind of wine. It’s lush and rich but an absolute delight to drink. High octane and visceral hedonism flowing through the palate with the greatest of ease.
Drink now to 2030+
15% ABV
