Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Le Plateau de Mont-Redon' 2016 750ml (3 Bottle Wooden Case)

60% Grenache, 40% Syrah aged for 18 months in Burgundian barrels for 60% and in tank for 40% before blending and ageing in stainless steel tank for another 10 months before bottling. Made in small volumes only in the best years, this comes from plots chosen on the high plateau of galets roules.

’Starting with the 2016 vintage, there is a special cuvée called le Plateau (de Mont Redon), which comes exclusively from the galets. It sees more oak and a higher proportion of new oak, but because of the concentration in the 2016 and 2017 vintages, it's not especially noticeable. The wine is a step above the large-production cuvée tradition in quality, but it's yet to be released. It's in keeping with the wine-making philosophy espoused by Pierre Fabre, who told me, "Color for me isn't quality-linked, it's style-linked. Most important is complexity and length." These aren't big, extracted wines but wines that feel comfortable and balanced.’ Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, August 2019.

‘A finished blend but still in tank at the time of my visit (this new cuvée spends 18 months in oak and then 18 months in tank prior to bottling), the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape le Plateau comes from selected parcels of galets roulés on the plateau of Mont Redon. The blend is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, and the result is a top-notch effort, boasting explosive aromas of cherries, cocoa and baking spices. Full-bodied, silky, rich and long, it's buttressed by the structural elements of the oak, without being swamped by wood at all. Drink 2020-2035.’ (93-95) points, Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, August 2019.

Château Mont-Redon will be familiar to those who know and love Châteauneuf-du-Pape being well recognized as the owners of one of the most highly regarded vineyard sites in the appellation. The superb quality of its vineyards has been recognized throughout history and prior to the adaptation of the appellation controlee system it was one of the few ‘Grand Crus’ in the region (together with Chateau Rayas).

With almost 100 hectares under vine, the majority of Mont-Redon’s vineyards are located in the appellation’s most favoured area, the high plateau which is covered in the large round pudding stones that Châteauneuf is so well known for. At this high point the huge pudding ston galets lie over a rich layer of clay which retains water and keeps the earth below cool as it helps the vines resist the torrid heat of each summer. In the 1960’s some limestone terroir on the western edge of the appellation was planted to white varieties which are perfectly suited to limestone and give whites of great freshness and purity. This remarkable property is in fact a single vineyard which is very unusual in Châteauneuf-du-Pape where holdings are usually quite scattered.

There has been considerable investment at Mont-Redon over the past twenty years. The entire winery has been completely renewed and is now naturally climate controlled utilising the water which lies deep below the clay plateau. From this water, cool air spills down into the winery cooling every level so that the whole winery retains a very cool temperature with natural humidity. Rows of oak barriques have replaced the old large foudres of yesteryear, and large temperature controlled stainless steel vats now line the walls, resulting in wines of freshness and finesse in both red and white wines. More recently optical sorting machines at harvest time have helped to remove any unripe or shriveled grapes as well as any vegetation resulting in great precision for every single wine.

In recent years the developments have continued at a great pace with Pierre Fabre being installed as wine-maker from 2008 and in 2017 Pierre took over management of the estate from his father and uncle. In 2017 he produced the first Gigondas from purchased fruit and in 2019 the purchase of more vineyards have been made in the southern Rhône. This remarkable estate will continue to develop apace as the potential of its great terroir is realised under the guardianship of Pierre Fabre.

Mont-Redon is clearly a candidate for not only the most improved producer and the best value producer of the Southern Rhône but now also one the very best producers in the large historic appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Mont-Redon looks destined to become one of the highest achievers of the Rhône Valley in the coming decade. Recent reviews confirm this trend.