2022 Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf du Pape Val de Dieu
An absolute standout, Vaudieu is one of the crown jewel vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape. The name Vaudieu is a shortening of French for “Valley of God” – a nod to the longstanding agricultural fertility of the region. Located about a five-minute drive outside the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape along the road which leads to Courthezon you will find Chateau de Vaudieu. It is one of three 18th century Chateaux located in the appellation, tucked into a small valley surrounded by hills and plateau. The estate has had a great reputation starting in the 19th century exporting wines all over Europe. They have a great and diverse terroir enabling them to blend the perfect wine. Their vineyard neighbors the superb Chateau Rayas and they have enlisted the great Phillipe Cambie ( Robert Parker’s Winemaker of the year in 2010) to assist with winemaking.
The 2022 Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf du Pape Val de Dieu is a special bottling of the finest older vineyards, 70 years of age. The wine is an absolute knockout, 97pts by JD, a great price 40% Savings and an exceptional 2022 vintage. 2022 is considered the best vintage in the last ten years, as a vintage received 95pts by Wine Spectator, a vintage that will have spectacular longevity, extraordinary quality. This is a one-shot deal straight limited availability.
97pts Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Val De Dieu is based on 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre that’s mostly from sandy soils. Still resting in demi-muid and old barrels, it has a sappy flower, garrigue, incredibly Provençal style as well as beautiful darker raspberry and strawberry fruit, medium to full body, solid mid-palate depth and concentration, and ripe, building tannins. It’s unquestionably up with the top wines in the vintage.
A beauty, with boysenberry, loganberry and blueberry fruit streaming through. Creamy and lush in feel, yet driven and detailed due to seamless acidity and light anise, black tea and lavender notes. Reveals a light graphite hint at the very end.
Laurent Brechet is so terroir driven, he is one of the rare producers in Chateauneuf to bottle individual parcels based on terroir. The Val de Dieu is no shy creature though as this is an explosive out-of-the-glass wine. Darker berried fruit with sweet baking spices and lavender notes, this is a gorgeous wine.One of the stars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is Château de Vaudieu.