Chapelle St. Theodoric Chapelle St. Theodoric Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse 2021 750ml

Moving to the Grand Vin 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, red wine simply doesn't get any better. Deep ruby/plum-hued, with a kaleidoscope-like array of cr me de cassis, jammy blackberries, spicy oak, graphite, and smoked tobacco, with a kiss of background chocolaty nuances, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a flawlessly layered, concentrated, balanced profile that has to be tasted to be believed. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, as well as purity and balance, it already offers pleasure, yet smart money will give bottles 4-6 years in the cellar, and enjoy bottles over the following two decades.

On this visit, I slightly preferred the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape La Guigasse to the Le Grand Pin. Also 100% whole-cluster Grenache, it’s much the same, but maybe a bit less floral and a bit more concentrated. Roses, herbal tea, blackberries and black cherries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is supple and almost airy in feel yet with intense, lingering flavors. Just terrific stuff.

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Guigasse is my favorite of the trio, at least at this early stage. Full-bodied aromas and flavors of darker berries, violets, peppery herbs, and chocolate all emerge from this beauty, which is perfectly balanced and has a great mid-palate, silky tannins, and a great finish. This is 100% Grenache that was not destemmed and is brought up all in older demi-muids.

From 75-year-old Grenache grown in sandy soils, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape La Guigasse was fermented as whole clusters and will spend two whole years in older demi-muids. On the nose, intriguing spice, herbal and savory notes provide a compelling counterpoint to the cherry and raspberry fruit, while the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated and rather sappy, finishing bright, fresh and long. The wine of the vintage?

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Guigasse is cut from the same cloth, with a big, spicy bouquet of ripe black cherries, Asian spice, Provençal garrigue, and sappy flowers. It’s rich, medium to full-bodied, has a great mid-palate, and a seamless texture. It’s a big mouthful of classic Southern Rhône goodness that can be drunk today or cellared for 10–15 years. As with the Grand Pin, this is all non-destemmed Grenache that comes from the La Guigasse lieu-dit (also sandy soils) and is brought up all in used demi-muids.

Black raspberries, mulled cherries, savory herbs, and some meaty nuances all emerge from the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Guigasse, a nicely balanced, medium-bodied, elegant Grenache from this team that has ripe tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It’s another Burgundian, incredibly successful wine in this challenging vintage.