Domaine de Cristia, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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"New superstars from Châteauneuf-du-Pape... The 2003 Cuvée Renaissance is a candidate for the appellation's wine of the vintage" (The Wine Advocate)

Established by his grandfather in the 1940s,Baptiste Grangeon's family estate is a relative newcomer to international renown, wines having been mostly sold off in bulk until the 1999 vintage. By 2001 Baptiste was clearly a rising star of the appellation. Then came 2002 with the terrible rains which destroyed so much of the harvest. Baptiste adapted as well as he could, cutting down the volume of Grenache in the blend, usually 80%, to make a pleasant, easy-drinking wine. This was followed by the equally tricky heatwave vintage of 2003. Baptiste took advantage of the extreme heat to produce a remarkable wine, full yet not overblown. Additionally he considered the grapes were good enough to make a luxury cuvée, "Renaissance", which Robert Parker has described as a "poor man's Hommage à Jacques Perrin" (the ultra-expensive limited release wine from Château de Beaucastel).

In 2004, Baptiste introduced a new wine to the portfolio called "Vieilles Vignes". It is 100% Grenache from vines at least 80 years old planted in the Cristia lieu-dit, alongside Rayas. These clay/sand parcels benefit from a cool, fresh north-easterly exposition which allows the grapes and wines to develop supple, elegant tannins. It is quite simply Grenache at its very best.

Other wines are made from vines (mostly Grenache) from just outside Courthezon, some appellation wines, some "mere" vins de pays which, frankly, are far superior to many wines costing twice as much. The estate's wines, and Baptiste's reputation as a winemaker, have sky-rocketed since then: mention either to many winemakers in the region outside Chateauneuf and they clearly regard him as an inspiration.

From the 2008 vintage, all wines are ECOCERT (organic) except new acquisitions which are "in conversion".

We are convinced that we have stumbled upon one of the up-and-coming great estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (literally: we first met Baptiste and his sister Dominique who runs the business side of things at the Fête de la Veraison in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and promptly visited them at the winery the following day) and hope to continue working with this charming team for many years.

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