An intense purple color is followed by ripe red fruit aromas, such as sweet black cherry.
The palate reveals clearly the aromatic complexity: spices and black fruit are boasted with soft tannins. The finish is long with aromatic hints of liquorice and pepper. Red raspberries, star anise and hints of cinnamon.
It will accompany game, red meat or meat in sauce and strong cheeses.
"Crafted from vines planted on galets roulés and red sandstone, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieux Terron is more closed and shy than its counterparts, evoking aromas of spices, dark berries and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, dense and enrobing, it's perfectly balanced with a fleshy core of fruit and structured, slightly firm tannins in the finish. Matured for 16 months in used barrels (10%) and concrete tanks, this is a blend of 70% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, all destemmed. - Yohan CASTAING"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (September 26th 2024), 92 pts
"A polished, modern style, with a round, ripe profile of fresh cherry and red plum bumping up against a firming wall of fine-grained tannins and graphite minerality. Reveals black pepper, earth and cigar box notes. Though heady and decadent, this has mineral power that wins the day, with just enough structure to carry the profile. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2032. - Kristen Bieler"
- Wine Spectator (October 2023), 93 pts
"An assemblage of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, aged mostly in concrete, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieux Terron features raspberries and strawberries, plus subtle herbal and floral notes. It's medium to full-bodied, airy, silky-textured and elegant, with a side of dusty tannins on the finish. - Joe CZERWINSKI"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (May 16th 2024), 91+ pts
“Brandy-soaked black cherries and crushes of basalt introduce this intensely fruity but peppery, salt-rimmed red. A blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, it's concentrated but maintains a mineral freshness and lovely violet perfume. Edged with soft, silky tannins, the wine is approachable young but should drink at peak through 2030 at least. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA "
- Wine Enthusiast (October 2021), 95 pts
"The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieux Terron (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre) sports a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a complex, layered, nicely textured style revealing ample red and black fruits along with notes of nori, herbes de Provence, and ground pepper. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years, if not upwards of a decade."
- Jeb Dunnuck (November 2021), 90 pts
"Lots of kirsch and spiced ripe black cherry fruits, cedary herbs, camphor, and peppery notes emerge from the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieux Terron. This medium to full-bodied 2018 has terrific purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and a solid mid-palate, with plenty of fleshy and texture. It’s a rock solid 2018 that’s going to offer pleasure through 2028."
- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2020), 91 pts
"Ripe, luscious blackberry and cassis flavors are accented by hints of crushed peppercorn, clove and coriander in this hedonistic, smoky red. A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre vinified with no new oak, it's a hedonistic, fruit-focused wine that's attention grabbing young but should gain depth and nuance through 2030 and hold further still. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"
- Wine Enthusiast (February/March 2021), 95 pts - Editors' Choice
"The Jaume family's négociant cuvée of Châteauneuf du Pape is another solid effort. The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieux Terron features raspberry fruit accented by citrus zest and mulling spices. It's full-bodied but less concentrated and textured than the Grand Veneur estate bottlings, fading a bit quickly on the finish. Drink it over the next 6-7 years for its forward charm. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue 244, August 2019), 90 pts
"The same blend as the traditional cuvée (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre), the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieux Terron spent 16 months in 90% concrete tanks, with 10% in older barrels. Deep purple-colored, it offers more blackcurrants, ground pepper, earthy minerality, and chocolate as well as medium to full body, a ripe, voluptuous texture, and plenty of ripe tannins. It's another deep, rich, powerful 2017 that will drink well for 10-15 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (August 16th 2019), 90 pts
"While crisp blackberry and plum aromas are demure on the nose of this wine, they intensify and ripen on the palate. It's a bold, brawny, wine with densely concentrated, juicy black-fruit flavors. Approachably fruity, it's lifted by a crisp mineral finish and fine, feathery tannins. Drink now–2026. - Anna Lee C. IIJIMA"
- Wine Enthusiast (July 2019), 93 pts
"Made from purchased fruit, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieux Terron is a dense, rich wine. Full-bodied and dusty, it's loaded with black cherries and plums but also savory notes of tapenade. Like most 2016s, it's super ripe, but it is balanced and doesn't show any heat or over-extraction, just a long, lingering and intense finish. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 238, August 31st 2018), 93 pts
"Bottled under the estate's negociant label, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s deep ruby color is followed by a plump, fruit forward, textured beauty that fills the mouth with ripe red and black fruits, spice and garrigue. I suspect it's going to be a terrific value."
- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2017), 90-92 pts
"Deep ruby. Deep-pitched cherry and black raspberry aromas, along with licorice and mocha qualities and an energizing jolt of cracked pepper. Lush and open-knit, offering broad dark berry flavors, a hint of succulent herbs and building spiciness. Generous, in the style of the vintage, delivering solid finishing punch and sneaky tannins that add shape and gentle grip. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (July 2018), 90 pts
"Ripe but restrained black-plum and mulberry notes are accented by a whiff of violet perfume in this wine. It's full bodied and juicy, with enticing hints of mushroom and forest floor that lend complexity to the midpalate. The finish is elegant, velvety and firm. It should improve now through 2025. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (December 1st 2018), 92 pts
"The 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieux Terron is a classic, medium-bodied and balanced red that has plenty of black cherry and blackberry fruit to go with classic garrigue, damp earth and spice aromas and flavors. It has the polish and purity that’s the hallmark of the estate and should drink well for 6-7 years. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 227, October 28th 2016), 89 pts
"A solid value that's borderline outstanding, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieux Terron has a classic feel in its pretty red fruits, licorice, garrigue and leather-driven aromatics. This is followed by a medium-bodied, rounded and forward effort that doesn't skimp on fruit or texture. It's a textbook 2012 that will drink nicely through 2022. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 215, October 2014), 89 pts
In the 14th century, during their stay in Avignon, the popes built a papal castle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Impressed by the area’s exceptional terroir surrounding the castle, Pope Jean XXII planted the ...
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