Xavier Vignon : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Xavier Vignon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022

Tasting

Colour
The visual appearance of this French red wine reveals a pale hue, subtly enhanced by coppery highlights reflecting its evolution.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense scents of black cherry, harmoniously complemented by herbaceous touches of mint and bay leaf. Spicy nuances and subtle tertiary aromas further enrich this olfactory palette.

Palate
Full-bodied and silky, the palate offers a lovely richness dominated by fruit and hints of Mediterranean herbs. The whole is supported by remarkably fine tannins and a pleasant acidity, extending into a lively finish.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with hearty meats such as grilled beef rib, duck roasted with figs, or wild boar stew. It will also beautifully complement a rack of lamb with candied tomatoes or Mediterranean-style dishes flavoured with thyme, rosemary, and garlic.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 14 and 16°C, taking care to decant the youngest bottles one to two hours before tasting. This wine can be enjoyed now, but it has the structure needed to age favourably in the cellar until around 2035.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 15% along with a residual sugar level of 1.3 grams per litre, placing it among dry wines.

The distinctive expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroirs by Xavier Vignon

The estate

A renowned consulting oenologist in the Rhône Valley, Xavier Vignon founded his own négociant house in 2002 before acquiring his own estate of around thirty hectares in 2021. Now at the helm of the estate, he combines a rigorous scientific approach with deep respect for winemaking traditions. A committed advocate for the environment, he cultivates his vines with great care, and around 70% of his production has held organic certification since 2014. His unique expertise allows him to craft wines that faithfully reflect the richness of the Rhône terroirs.

The vineyard

The grapes used for this Châteauneuf-du-Pape come from a careful selection of forty distinct plots, mostly located in the northern part of the appellation. This geologically diverse terroir is composed of 40% limestone soils providing freshness, 30% red sandstone, 20% of the iconic rolled pebbles that promote ripening, and 10% brown soils.

The vintage

The 2022 growing season was marked by specific weather conditions that strongly influenced the vine cycle. These particular conditions allowed for optimal berry development throughout the season, resulting in excellent sugar accumulation and full ripeness at harvest time.

Winemaking and aging

For this Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022, each grape variety is vinified separately to preserve its identity. Fermentation takes place 50% in stainless steel tanks, 25% in concrete tanks, and 25% in conical wooden vats. Aging then continues for sixteen months, split between stainless steel tanks (50%), traditional foudres (20%), terracotta amphorae for one year (20%), wooden vats (5%), and demi-muids (5%).

Grape varieties

• 70% Grenache Noir
• 20% Mourvèdre
• 10% Syrah