Saint Théodoric 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape "Les Sablons"

Saint Théodoric - a project of winemaker Bapiste Grangeon and Peter Weygandt - has quickly become one of our favorite Southern Rhône producers. The domaine is comprised of two parcels of Grenache vines (each ranging in age between 50-100 years): La Guigasse, a soil of pure sand, and Le Grand Pin, a terroir of pure sand at the top of Pignan - and famously neighboring Château Rayas. "Les Sablons" is Grenache from both parcels, which sees whole-cluster vinification, and aging in demi-muids. (We have loved this wine every year since the delicious 2014.) The 2023 is a great bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape that is elegant and fresh for current drinking and will cellar beautifully for 25 years. Here is the full review from Livingstone-Learmonth "ruby toned, medium red colour; this has a pepper toned bouquet, fraise du bois, wild strawberry with a chalky clip alongside, a note of liqueur in the fruit, a lean towards soaked red cherries, griottes. The palate offers varied and discreet prompts, accumulates neatly, is better than the sum of its parts, sustains with an agreeable sureness into a red fruit tart, tangy finale, the aftertaste lip smacking. The length is good, and it’s a wine of interest, quiet reserve, the best of the three 2023s. (Guigasse and Le Grand Pin)  There is an attractive floral musky, pot pourri tone as it finishes." Highly recommended and a great value in great CDP!  David Lillie