Domaine Santa Duc : Habemus Papam 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the "Habemus Papam" 2022 Domaine Santa Duc

Tasting

Color
This red wine reveals a beautifully deep, subtly dark hue.

Nose
The bouquet opens with intense aromas of blackcurrant and well-ripened dark fruit, enhanced by a delicate touch of camphor that brings a lovely freshness. With aeration, more complex nuances of spice, earth and light floral notes emerge.

Palate
The attack is generous and enveloping, dominated by flavors of red and dark fruit. The mid-palate unfolds a soft texture where notes of red cherries and wild strawberries intertwine, supported by a ripe and perfectly integrated tannic structure. The remarkably long finish stretches on with persistent peppery accents, accompanied by subtle touches of black tea and spice.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with flavorful meats such as herb-roasted leg of lamb, duck with porcini mushrooms or a slow-braised beef stew. It will also beautifully complement vegetarian dishes with Mediterranean flavors, wild mushroom preparations, as well as aged hard cheeses.

Service and storage

Although it can be enjoyed young, the "Habemus Papam" 2022 will reveal its full potential after a few years in the cellar. It can be kept and enjoyed until around 2047, depending on storage conditions.

Other characteristics

Made according to the principles of Demeter-certified biodynamic farming, this wine ferments using indigenous yeasts and is bottled without prior filtration, which may result in a slight natural sediment.

The Elegance and Depth of a Great Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

Founded in 1874 on the Gigondas plateau, Domaine Santa Duc is a leading name in the southern Rhône Valley. Led by the Gras family for six generations, the estate underwent a major turning point under the leadership of Yves Gras, a pioneer of organic viticulture in the region. Today, Benjamin Gras heads the estate and carries on this legacy by applying the demanding principles of biodynamics. The producer is renowned for its ability to craft wines that combine the natural power of the grapes with remarkable structural elegance.

The vineyard

The grapes used for this cuvée come from the illustrious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, specifically from the lieux-dits Le Pradel and La Font du Pape. These exceptional terroirs are distinguished by soils of sandy clay at the surface, resting on highly calcareous subsoils dotted with rolled pebbles, offering ideal conditions for the vines to thrive.

The vintage

The year produced grapes with fully ripe, concentrated tannins, while preserving particularly vibrant and fresh aromatic qualities, characteristic of the finest successes of that vintage.

Winemaking and aging

The making of the "Habemus Papam" 2022 is rooted in a philosophy of minimal intervention. After a short maceration incorporating a portion of whole-bunch grapes, fermentation begins spontaneously. The wine then undergoes a careful eighteen-month aging process, split between large 36-hectoliter oak foudres and 8-hectoliter terracotta amphorae, allowing for gentle micro-oxygenation while preserving the brightness of the fruit.

Grape varieties

This wine is a blend of Grenache Noir (60%) and Syrah (40%).