2014 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Classique

The 2014 vintage was the first that we started working on with Isabel and we were immediately in love. Although many fans bought her fantastic Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Classique on release, we have a few cases remaining that we are happy to offer now (immediately available in the UK) given how beautifully it is drinking. Isabel Ferrando grew up in Provence and was always in love with the special scents and tastes of Southern France. In 2002 she took the opportunity to buy the small Domaine Saint-Préfert, with its 70 to 100+ year old vines. She received training from the legendary Henri Bonneau and has since focused on deepening her understanding of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir, converting to organic and biodynamic practices and honing her methods and the style she seeks in her wines. Having tasted this a few times in recent years, we are always impressed with how wonderfully the freshness and elegance of the vintage is preserved in this floral and fruit driven Chateauneuf du Pape. Ample red and black fruit are the stars, though salty liquorice becomes more pronounced with air, framed by Provencal lavender and dried rose, as well as a hint of smoke and earthy mineral notes. The perfume is elegant and moreish, as is the silky, fresh and nicely concentrated palate, with notes of peppery spice on the juicy, fruit-filled finish. Lovely.