150 year-old Grenache vines of Pierre André in "Etang," northeast sector of CDP

Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine Pierre André, Featuring the Superb 2016 and 2019 CDP Rouges!

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The wines of Jacqueline André are among the very greatest Châteauneuf-du-Papes - they possess the focus and soul of the truly great - when farming, old vines, terroir and winemaking come together to create works of art that transcend point scores with their purity, elegance and depth. (The estate was certified organic in 1980, and Demeter certified Biodynamic in 1992)

We're proud to offer two excellent vintages of Rouge from this wonderful estate, 2016 and 2019, in 750ml and magnums. They can be enjoyed young but both vintages - especially 2016 - are built for aging and will amply repay 10 to 20 years in the cellar. 2019 in general has a bit more charm for early drinking than 2016, but will evolve nicely into the 2040s.

Jacqueline André makes an unusual and distinctive CDP Blanc from Clairette (45 - 50 year-old vines) and Bourboulenc (80 - 100 year-old vines). We have only 24 bottles of this rare and beautiful wine.

Vincent, Jacqueline and Pierre André

 

Tasting with Jacqueline André is a great experience - keenly intelligent, proud and modest, she has faithfully carried on the great work of her father. To give you a sense of Pierre André and the importance of this estate we include the following tribute written by John Livingstone-Learmonth, the foremost writer on all things Rhone:

An unsung hero of CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE:

"In a year when the domaine has made a wonderful CHÂTEAUNEUF BLANC, it was sad to hear of the passing in September, 2020 of PIERRE ANDRÉ, at the ripe old age of 90 or so. His daughter JACQUELINE took up his mantle with calm and steady purpose, and the domaine at COURTHÉZON has continued to make classic, traditional virtues CHÂTEAUNEUF in the RED which is based around 80% old GRENACHE, and the WHITE, which is rare in being almost half 1975-76 BOURBOULENC, with an equal share of CLAIRETTE dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.

It was one July early evening many years ago, in the 1980s, that PIERRE, a diminutive man with the heart of a lion, took me to see one of his plots where the vines towered over him. Here is what I wrote about that visit in THE WINES OF THE RHÔNE: “One of the most interesting single vineyards that demonstrates the benefit of careful and natural handling is PIERRE ANDRÉ’s hectare or so at LA CÔTE RONDE, east of the village towards COURTHÉZON. This is just one of his thirty-one plots, and the vines there are 100 years old. Their health and vigour in midsummer is a revelation.

PIERRE ANDRÉ, now in his sixties, is tigerish in his view that nature should be allowed to take its course, without the intrusion of chemicals. Hard work there is a-plenty, but one look at his flourishing GRENACHE NOIR vines of such colossal age is enough to convert even the most caustic of doubters. M.ANDRÉ hops around the vineyard, delighting in pointing out the stout members of his little troupe – some of them 8 feet high, with their vegetation sprouting lushly from seven branches. He then shows just how random planting was at the turn of the century by indicating a sole, fat, healthy CINSAULT, and two rows away a single CLAIRETTE of the same age and vigour.

To stand with PIERRE ANDRÉ looking over the old vines that he and two generations before him have treated so carefully, when at eight in the evening of a July day the sun is still reluctant to shed its fire, the crickets continue busy with their work, the jasmine plants banked on odd ledges above the vineyard still exhale their scents and there is a swooping view across to a mist-shrouded MONT VENTOUX, one completely, humbly understands his passionate defence of terroir.”

I should add that even more praiseworthy was the fact that PIERRE ANDRÉ was out of step with his own generation. At that time there were stirrings among the young, notably with the beanpole PHILIPPE ARMENIER of DOMAINE DE MARCOUX, dabbling with organic practices and potions that led him to biodynamie. But someone in their sixties – no chance. That was the generation targeted in the 1970s by the likes of RHÔNE POULENC who would send out their MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE approved advertising folders for their magic products that allowed you, the overworked vigneron, to take a holiday in August. A chemical fest followed, and it wasn’t easy to stand firm against them.

I say farewell to this pioneer, an unsung hero of CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE."

Pierre Andre 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Magnum

(CSW price $99.99) The superb 2019 Pierre André CDP Rouge is 90% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse, Counoise, Muscadin and Picpoul. Some parcels are over 100 years old, with the average vine age around 65 years. From drinkrhone: "handsome dark red robe; the nose has depth from within, a really inviting aroma of finely sweet plums, with some cedar, gently perfumed notes around them. It’s a very good start. The palate runs with a stately roll of red stone fruits, lovely engagement thanks to its stylish gras, its spherical shape most appealing. The balance is good. This is Châteauneuf of terroir, no make-up added, is a very bonny Grenache-inspired wine, has smoky, tobacco, menthol tones late on. Much harmony here, not sure what else one could demand from it - way to go, Jacqueline!" Drink 2025 - 2050.

  • red
  • 4 in stock
  • no discount
  • $119.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur
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Pierre Andre 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge

(Arrives 12/2)  We consider Domaine Pierre André to be one of the greatest estates in Châteuneuf-du-Pape. Organic since 1980 (one of the first in the AOC) and Biodynamic since 1992. The red is 90% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse, Counoise, Muscadin and Picpoul. Some parcels are over 100 years old, with the average vine age around 65 years. The 2016 is a beautiful glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, showing fresh, complex aromas of ripe blackberry with cherry, spice, rose, earth, tar, smoke and floral notes.  On the palate, the wine is perfectly structured, similar to the 2010, with deep blackberry and black cherry liqueur with spice, garrigue, earth and saline minerals. A great CDP for aging, this is delicious now in its vibrant youth, but will repay waiting for ten years and then enjoy until 2050! Very highly recommended. David Lillie

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $59.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Pierre Andre 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 1.5 L

(Pre-Arrival)  We consider Domaine Pierre André to be one of the greatest estates in Châteuneuf-du-Pape. Organic since 1980 (one of the first in the AOC) and Biodynamic since 1992. The red is 90% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse, Counoise, Muscadin and Picpoul. Some parcels are over 100 years old, with the average vine age around 65 years. The 2016 is a beautiful glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, showing fresh, complex aromas of ripe blackberry with cherry, spice, rose, earth, tar, smoke and floral notes.  On the palate, the wine is perfectly structured, similar to the 2010, with deep blackberry and black cherry liqueur with spice, garrigue, earth and saline minerals. A great CDP for aging, this is delicious now in its vibrant youth, but will repay waiting for ten years and then enjoy until 2050! Very highly recommended.  David Lillie

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $119.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Pierre André 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

 (Our note from 2014) We consider Domaine Pierre André to be one of the greatest estates in Châteuneuf-du-Pape. Organic since 1980 (one of the first in the AOC) and Biodynamic since 1992. The red is 90% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Vacarese, Counoise, Muscadin and Picpoul. Some parcels are over 100 years old, with the average vine age around 65 years. The 2010 is a tighter and more structured wine than the voluptuous 2009, an elegant Chateauneuf-du-Pape that is built to last! Tasted last winter, it showed aromas of ripe blackberry with cherry, spice, rose, earth, tar, smoke and floral notes. Fabulous palate with deep black fruits with spice, garrigue, earth and saline minerals. Terrific length and density, just opening slightly but ideally give this wine at least three more years and enjoy until 2035. Just a great bottle of Châteauneuf,  one of our favorites from this great vintage!  Highly recommended.  David Lillie

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $79.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic

Pierre Andre 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

(Pre-Arrival) The 2020 Pierre André Blanc is an extraordinary Châteauneuf-du-Pape from an extraordinary estate - organic since 1980 (one of the first in the AOC) and Biodynamic since 1992.  The blend is now approximately 50-60% Bourboulenc and 40-50% old-vine Clairette (planted in the 1920s) grown on sandy soils in the lieu-dits of "Saint-Georges," "Etang" and "les Bédines," giving a wine that accentuates the beautiful minerality brought by the terroir and the superb farming. From drinkrhone: "fine yellow robe; the nose is going to be elegant, stylish, has a very trim aroma of pear, apricot, a hint of white pepper clarity. The palate is also right on the money in its finesse, backed by a poised level of gras, all in order. It finishes with notes of aniseed de Marseille, greengage plum, the definition good. It’s a superior Ch du Pape blanc, carries garrigue tones, very good à table. It’s delightful, genuine. There’s more to come, too. It should be decanted." Drink over the next 15 years.

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $54.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Pierre Andre 2020 Vin de France Clin D'Oeil (Arrives 12/1)

(Last of stock - don't miss it!)  This is our second shipment of the Pierre André "Clin D'Oeil," the much admired "second wine" of this wonderful Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate. It's at the same time serious and fun, it's the Wink of a Eye, it's a superb wine of terroir that's also easy drinking and the perfect accompaniment to a casual meal. Dark red/garnet color with a bright rim, bright  aromas of ripe black cherry, red currant, black plum, spice and earth.  The palate is beautifully structured with firm, very earthy, chalky acidity underlying elegant, subtle, cherry, ripe strawberry and red currant fruit. It's a dense and sapid Rhone red that's light on it's feet and a great food wine, especially for any grilled foods this summer. (From a parcel in Vin de France east of Courthezon  of 75 year-old Grenache and Cinsault; a parcel of CDR Grenache just outside Chateauneuf, and from light-colored very old vine Grenache within Chateauneuf) Highly recommended!  David Lillie

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $21.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur