André Brunel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 2020
Overview
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Dominant aromas of red and black fruit are enhanced by a touch of oak from barrel-aged Syrah, hints of leather and earth. Fruit flavors fill the mouth, complemented by harmonious tannins. |
Wine Facts
VITICULTURE: The grapes for this cuvée are sourced from a number of growers with longstanding relationships with the Brunel family, all of which represent a variety of unique terroirs. Vineyards planted on filtered gravel beds produce concentrated grapes, while clay soil adds a rich, aromatic quality, and chalky limestone brings structure and a long finish to the wine. The 2020 harvest was conducted in mid-September to ensure mature grapes with balanced acidity.
VINIFICATION: Grenache and Mourvèdre were co-fermented in concrete vats while the Syrah was aged for eighteen months in one- or two-year-old Burgundian oak barrels. The blend was made once the Syrah was ready, and bottling took place three months later to ensure the grapes were fully integrated.
INTERESTING FACT: The famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape galet stones that have become so influential to the terroir were swept down from the Alps by the Rhône River during the Ice Age.
FAMILY: One of Châteauneuf’s most revered estates is centuries-old André Brunel, who has been in the region since the 17th century and has been making wine for five generations. Though originally named Domaine Les Cailloux by Lucien Brunel in 1954, its current name is after the fourth-generation owner, André Brunel. Under André’s leadership, the estate expanded rapidly, with vines in the Côtes du Rhône AOC as well as Vins de Pays. In 1971, after André took over, he launched Grenache-dominant Cuvée Centenaire, the estate’s top wine, which solidified André Brunel as a major player in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In addition, the family is leading the charge in the region for eco-friendly farming practices, eschewing chemicals at every turn. André’s son, Fabrice, is now at the helm of this pioneering estate, overseeing their three appellations.
Producer: André Brunel
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley
Country: France
Wine Composition: 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, & 5% Mourvèdre
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Total Acidity: 3.04 G/L
Residual Sugar: 1.8 G/L
pH: 3.60
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley
Country: France
Wine Composition: 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, & 5% Mourvèdre
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Total Acidity: 3.04 G/L
Residual Sugar: 1.8 G/L
pH: 3.60
Press Highlights
2020: 94 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Dec 20232020: 94 Pts - James Suckling, Mar 2023
2016: 93 Pts - Wine Spectator, Feb 2020
2016: 90 Pts - Wine Advocate, Sept 2020
2013: 90 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, May 2019