Domaine du Pegau, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Gouttes de Dieu 2016

Domaine du Pégau, the Féraud family's Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate, farms about 21 ha of red and 2 ha of white vines, close to 80% Grenache. Reds are hand-picked, never destemmed, fermented on native yeasts in concrete and aged in old 50 hl foudres. Cuvée Réservée, 80% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre and other varieties, spends two years in foudre and shows red fruit, pepper and garrigue. Cuvée Laurence is the same blend given four years in wood, turning spicy and leathery. Da Capo, from century-old vines on La Crau's sands and pebbles and made only in top years, shows black fruit, licorice and black pepper and is built for 10–25 years. Château Pégau makes Côtes-du-Rhône.

Appellation

Châteauneuf-du-Pape; Côtes-du-Rhône (Château Pégau)

Owner

Féraud family (Paul and Laurence Féraud)

Vineyards

About 21 ha red and 2 ha white in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (c. 11 parcels incl. La Crau); Château Pégau 41 ha at Sorgues

Grapes

Grenache (about 80%), Syrah, Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties; Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne

Wines

Cuvée Réservée (red, white); Cuvée Laurence; Cuvée Da Capo; Cuvée A Tempo Blanc; Inspiration; Château Pégau Lône, Maclura, Sétier; Plan Pégau

Style

No destemming, native yeasts, concrete fermentation, ageing in 50 hl foudres

Website

pegau.com

Sources: pegau.com, winewithseth.com