HISTORY One of Châteauneuf’s most revered estates is centuries-old André Brunel, who has been in the region since the 17th century and has been making wine for five generations. Though originally named Domaine Les Cailloux by Lucien Brunel in 1954, its current name is after the fourth-generation owner, André Brunel. Under André’s leadership, the estate expanded rapidly, with vines in the Côtes du Rhône AOC as well as Vins de Pays. In 1971, after André took over, he launched Grenache-dominant Cuvée Centenaire, the estate’s top wine, which solidified André Brunel as a major player in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In addition, the family is leading the charge in the region for eco-friendly farming practices, eschewing chemicals at every turn. André’s son, Fabrice, is now at the helm of this pioneering estate, overseeing their three appellations.
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING The grapes for this wine come from a single plot located north of Orange, in the vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone, where the soil is rich and has excellent drainage due to fine gravel found just below the surface. The region around the Cotes du Rhone Villages offers terroir that produce a fresh and aromatic Grenache. It is a great match for the Syrah and Mourvèdre grown in the same area.
The grapes were harvested in the second part of September. The tannins from the Syrah are sufficient to provide structure and the capacity for aging. The wine is aged in concrete vats for a period of 12-18 months and released one month after bottling.
TASTING NOTES This wine offers bursts of red fruits on the nose and palate. It matches elegance with strength, and the result is a complex wine that overdelivers for the price. Aromas of blackcurrant, and blueberry extend to harmonious tannins in a tasty combination of fruit and structure. The wine’s complexity and character are apparent, from first sip to last.
