【A rising star located next to Rayas】
【Wine Advocate 93 pts】
【Vivino 4.1】
ZTF431 - Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2023
Special price: $420/piece
Type：White Wine
Grape Varieties：80% Clairette、20% Roussanne
Region：Chateauneuf du Pape
ABV：13.5%
Volume：750ml
【Rating】
Wine Advocate 93 pts
A blend of 80% Clairette and 20% Roussanne, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc reveals a spicy, delicate bouquet of white flowers, pear, citrus and spring flowers intertwined with delicate notes of oaky reduction. Medium to full-bodied, round and textured, it's enveloping with a delicate, juicy core of fruit that segues into a long, mouthwatering finish. Matured for six months in large barrels, it stands out not for its flamboyance but for its perfect balance, making it a distinguished example of the Châteauneuf's white wines.
【Winery】
Domaine de Cristia is located in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Rhone Valley in France.
Domaine de Cristia belongs to the Grangeon family, who have managed the estate for many generations. Situated in the eastern part of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, the winery covers 58 hectares. It was founded 70 years ago by Etienne Grangeon, starting with only 2 hectares of Grenache. Her son, Alain, joined the management in 1963. Passionate about viticulture, he expanded the vineyards and added grape varieties such as Syrah and Mourvèdre. Based on his expertise and understanding of the terroir, Alain gradually built the winery's reputation. In 1999, Alain's two sons, Baptiste and Dominique, joined their father. They focus on selecting the best plots of land to ensure the production of high-quality wines with excellent aging potential, for both sale in France and export.
【Region】
After three generations of effort, Château Christia now owns 58 hectares of vineyards, encompassing appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-du-Rhone Villages, Côtes-du-Rhone, and Vin de Pays. The soils of these vineyards are 90% sandy clay. The cool climate of the vineyards fosters the development of soft, elegant tannins in the grapes. The winery primarily cultivates Grenache, comprising nearly 85% of its red grapes. This variety has excellent resistance to wind and dryness, making it well-suited to the Provençal climate, producing wines with aromas of black fruit, cherry, and blackcurrant, as well as animalic notes. Syrah, comprising about 10%, is also grown, possessing good antioxidant properties. Deep in color, with a fine tannin structure, it boasts aromatic notes of raspberry, blackcurrant, violet, and pepper. The remaining 5% is Mourvedre. The winery's white wine is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussane, and Bourboulenc.
Château Christia's vineyards are managed as organically as possible, receiving official organic certification in 2008. Managers avoid using chemical herbicides or pesticides, ensuring the vineyards' ecological balance.
【Winemaking】
The grapes are hand-harvested in mid-August, at which point they reach ideal ripeness and a perfect balance of acidity and sugar. After harvesting, the grapes undergo rigorous selection to ensure only the highest quality fruit reaches the winemaking stage.
The winemaking process takes place in stainless steel tanks using low-temperature fermentation (approximately 15-18°C) to preserve the grapes' fresh aromas and bright acidity. After fermentation, the wine is aged for seven months in stainless steel tanks, avoiding the excessive influence of oak barrels and highlighting the pure flavors and minerality of the grapes themselves. Throughout the process, the winery uses natural yeasts for fermentation, allowing the wine to express a more authentic terroir and personality.
