M. Chapoutier : Croix de Bois 2024

Characteristics and tasting advice for the "Croix de Bois" 2024 from M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays an intense red color with garnet highlights.

Nose
The nose reveals a beautiful concentration of black fruit, dominated by aromas of blackberry jam.

Palate
Full-bodied and smooth, the palate stands out for its warm tannins, offering a rich texture and a well-developed fruity expression.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine pairs ideally with prepared beef dishes such as tournedos Rossini or beef Wellington. It also pairs wonderfully with duck breast as well as game meats like wild boar or venison.

Service and cellaring

For optimal tasting of the "Croix de Bois" 2024, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 60 and 64°F, taking care to decant it about one hour before serving. With remarkable aging potential, this wine can be cellared until around 2084.

The authentic expression of a singular terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape by M. Chapoutier

The estate

Founded in 1808 and based in Tain-l'Hermitage in France, the M. Chapoutier estate is a historic figure of the Rhône Valley. A pioneer, the estate distinguished itself by converting to biodynamic viticulture as early as 1991 under the leadership of Michel Chapoutier. Today, he still manages the family estate, supported by the new generation, Mathilde and Maxime Chapoutier. Guided by its motto "Fac et spera," the house is committed to revealing the truth of each terroir through rigorous parcel selections, now shining across four continents while preserving its roots.

The vineyard

The cuvée comes from the lieu-dit "Croix de Bois," a specific terroir located within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. This singular environment is composed of sandy red clay soils covered with large rolled quartzite pebbles. The vines, aged between 45 and 80 years depending on the micro-parcels, draw their full complexity here to offer a faithful expression of this southern climate.

The vintage

The year 2024 begins with a mild late winter, followed by a cooler period at the end of March. Spring and summer are characterized by moderate temperatures and abundant rainfall, thus avoiding extreme heat. The particularly cool month of September allows for an extended growing cycle and refined ripening before a smooth harvest.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the "Croix de Bois" 2024 are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. After destemming, fermentation takes place exclusively in concrete tanks, with a maceration of about three weeks aimed at polymerizing the tannins. Only the free-run juice is kept for this cuvée. Aging then continues in concrete tanks for 14 to 16 months, without any contact with wood, in order to preserve the pure expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

The "Croix de Bois" 2024 from M. Chapoutier is 100% Grenache.