Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2025

2024 -

"Not yet bottled, the 2024 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a brilliant nose of ripe blackberries, ground pepper, spice, and tons of garrigue with assorted meaty, black olive nuances. Based on 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah and aged 18 months in 85% concrete and 15% foudre, it's medium to full-bodied with a dense, concentrated mid-palate, velvety tannins, and a great finish. This full-on Grenache bomb will shine on release and evolve beautifully over the following 15-20 years."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2024

2023 -

"The 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes the sandy soils of both the northern and southern portions of the Cristia lieu-dits and is 100% destemmed Grenache that will see 18 months all in very old barrels. It's a more classic expression boasting a blockbuster perfume of red and black fruits, roasted meats, peppery garrigue, smoke, and licorice. This ripe, voluptuous, powerful, full-bodied effort has ripe, building tannins, a layered, velvety mouthfeel, and a great finish."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct/2025

2023 -

"Harmonious and vibrant, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is showing beautifully at this early stage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of spices, peach, dark berries, cherries and floral undertones, it is medium- to full-bodied, sappy and enveloping, with a deep, refined core of fruit framed by velvety tannins. The finish is long, ethereal and impressively refined. Entirely crafted from old-vine Grenache Noir and matured in a mix of large barrels, used oak and 34% new oak, it deftly marries elegance with power." - Yohan Castaing

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2023

2022 -

"The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes from the oldest Grenache vines of the estate and was raised in demi-muids and new and used barrels. Flat-out awesome notes of blackberries, mulled cherries, roasted herbs, and Provencal spices, as well as some meaty nuances, define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, has a deep, layered, opulent mouthfeel, fine tannins, and sensational length on the finish. This Grenache lover’s dream of a wine will evolve for 15-20 years."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2024

2022 -

"Coming from 100% destemmed Grenache and the sandy soils of the Cristia lieu-dit, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is the clear winner in the lineup and a gorgeous wine that readers will love. Awesome notes of roasted garrigue, licorice, Provençal spice, and assorted red and black fruits all define the aromatics, and it's a deep, layered, full-bodied beauty revealing velvety tannins and a blockbuster finish. As with most 2022s, it’s already drinking brilliantly yet should evolve gracefully over the coming decade. There are 500 cases produced."

Decanter, Sep/2023

2022 -

"This is ripe for sure, but not overripe, and the oak is sensitively applied, giving some shape and focus to the wine. The alcohol is gently warming but not excessive in the realms of pure Châteauneuf Grenache, and it has remarkable length of fruit. A hedonistic treat. Aged in demi-muids and barriques, one third new oak, for 18 months. Drinking window: 2024-2032."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Jun/2024

2022 -

"Coming in at eye level with the Renaissance from the same vintage, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is gorgeous. White pepper, strawberry jam, cedar, licorice, crushed violets and menthol are all front and center. Framed by ripe and seamlessly sculpted tannins as well as bright acidity, the ambitious 2022 impresses with great persistence on the complex finish. It spent 18 months in equal proportions of demi-muids and both old and new oak barriques."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sept/2024

2022 -

"Crafted from old vines of Grenache Noir planted on sandy soils (Cristia's south and north lieux-dits), the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes from Domaine de Cristia exhales a more solar bouquet in comparison with the other cuvées, opening in the glass with notes of dark olive, tapenade, dry thyme, chocolate and baked dark berries. Sweet and medium to full-bodied with a broad attack, it's layered and textured with an enrobing structure and polished tannins. The sweetest of the lineup, it finishes long and perfumed with delicate notes of lavender and licorice. Matured for 18 months in large barrels (33%), new barrels (34%) and the rest in used barrels, this is a great success at this address." - Yohan Castaing

James Suckling, Jun/2024

2022 -

"A dense, generous and fruity red from old vines. It shows notes of dark cherries, baked plums, sweet spices and some grilled meat. It’s full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Structured yet elegant, with a delicious and succulent core of cherries and blood oranges on the palate. Lively and concise, with a focused and flavorful finish. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2025."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sep/2023

2022 -

"Marked by scents of strawberries, pie cherries and hints of truffle and garrigue, the full-bodied 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes looked impressive as a blend mocked up from a selection of barrels. Full-bodied, supple and silky-textured, with a long, licorice-tinged finish, it should drink well for at least 15 years."

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2022

2020 -

"Not yet bottled, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is all very old vine Grenache from the sandy soils of the Cristia lieu-dit. Brought up in demi-muids and a mix of new and used barrels, it gives up a rocking bouquet of blackberries, ripe cherries, licorice, toasted spices, and violets. It's gorgeous on the palate as well and is medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, elegant texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's rock star stuff that I'd buy in a second."

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2021

2020 -

"The Vieilles Vignes cuvée (100% Grenache aged in 34% new French oak barrels, with the balance in demi-muids and older oak) is always a deeper, richer, surprisingly opaque example of Grenache, and the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes follows suit, offering a dense plum hue, loads of mulberry and blackberry fruits, full-bodied richness, lots of spice and garrigue nuances, and a great finish. It’s going to offer ample pleasure right out of the gate yet cruise for 15+ years in cold cellars."

James Suckling, Apr/2023

2020 -

"The intense clove aroma is at the outer edge of typicity for this appellation. However, this Chateauneuf is simultaneously savory, dry and surprisingly elegant through the long balsamic and spicy finish. A pure grenache. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Apr/2023

2020 -

"Entirely made from old vine Grenache, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes turned out well. It delivers pungent aromas of raspberry jam, strawberry compote, red and black plum, dried herbs, licorice, cloves, wood smoke and vanilla. The oak-derived aromas and flavors are very much up-front and will require some time to integrate. It’s impossible to ignore the underlying high quality, however, confirmed by ever-so-velvety tannins and refreshing acidity."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May/2022

2020 -

"From 55-year-old Grenache vines in the Cristia lieu-dit, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is aging in 40% new demi-muids (the exact proportions of new wood vary from year to year). The result is a fine balance of toast and vanilla with black cherries, rosemary and lavender. Full-bodied and silky textured but not overly concentrated or tannic, this finishes long and elegant."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sep/2023

2020 -

"Aged in a fair bit of new oak (roughly one-third new barrels, one-third demi-muids and one-third older barrels), the pure Grenache 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes carries notes of vanilla and toasted coconut alongside hints of plum, cola and stone fruit. It's full-bodied, framed by some slightly drying wood tannins and has a dusty finish."

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2021

2019 -

"The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes (100% Grenache) brings more opulence and sexiness, with a more unevolved vibe in its ripe black fruits, violets, toasted spice, and Provençal garrigue-like aromas and flavors. Brought up in equal parts used barrels, new French oak, and demi-muids, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, incredibly elegant texture, ripe tannins, and one hell of a great finish. This is a Grenache lover's dream, and it should continue drinking brilliantly for another 10-15 years."

Wine Spectator, Feb/2022

2019 -

"A strapping young wine, brimming with dark plum paste and boysenberry compote flavors that are carried by racy licorice snap and fruitcake notes. The lively back end shows a hint of bramble and a touch of tar, giving this energy and power as it courses through the finish. Best from 2023 through 2038. 300 cases made, 50 cases imported."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2020

2019 -

Decanter, Oct/2020

2019 -

"Not so much oak with the natural power of the fruit to the fore. It's very ripe, quite muscular and towards sweet in profile. A bright, zingy, technicolour style, polished and sleek, but will have plenty of fans. Warming alcohol. 100% old-vine Grenache from the lieu-dit Cristia sandy soils. Matured in barriques and demi-muids for 18 months, one-third new oak."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May/2022

2019 -

"All Grenache, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes matured in a mix of demi-muids and barriques, with about one-third new oak. Faint herbal notes and nuance to this wine's cedar, vanilla and black cherry flavors. It's full-bodied, concentrated and reasonably tannic, but it finishes silky and fine. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2020

2018 -

"Taking things up a notch, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a much bigger, richer wine. It’s similarly colored, with a medium ruby/purple hue as well as a killer nose of kirsch liqueur, lavender, herbes de Provence, Asian spices, and a touch of cured meats. This full-bodied, opulent wine hits the palate with no hard edges, sweet tannins, and one hell of a great finish. It's already hard to resist, has the vintage’s forward, upfront feel, yet will nevertheless have 10-15 years of longevity."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Jul/2021

2018 -

"Glistening ruby-red. Expansive, spice-tinged Chambord, cherry liqueur, incense and lavender aromas show sharp definition and pick up a lively mineral nuance with air. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering concentrated red fruit, five-spice powder and floral pastille flavors that are sharpened by a jolt of juicy acidity. Deftly blends richness and energy and finishes extremely long and smooth, with insistent florality and pliant tannins adding gentle grip."

Wine Spectator, Aug/2021

2018 -

"Cherry and plum paste flavors are fresh in feel, with anise and violet and lavender details adding range. Nicely buried acidity gives the finish a subtle juicy edge, while the fruit plays out against a light sandalwood note. Drink now through 2035. 400 cases made."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Aug/2019

2018 -

"I failed to discern a qualitative difference between the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (pure Grenache) and the 2018 Renaissance (which includes 40% Mourvèdre). This wine features bold cherry flavors, hints of cedar and vanilla from new oak and is full-bodied and velvety on the palate, with a long finish. No doubt further differences will emerge by next year, but for now, between these two wines, let's call it a push."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2020

2017 -

"The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes checks in as 100% Grenache coming from a single parcel in the Cristia lieu-dit, in the heart of the appellation, and was brought up mostly in old barrels, with 30% in new demi-muids. Revealing a more ruby/plum color, it has an incredible nose of spiced red and black fruits, ground pepper, garrigue, and spring flowers. These all carry to a full-bodied, layered, elegant Grenache that has silky tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. It’s already complex and ready to go today yet will cruise for 10-15 years in cold cellars."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Sept/2020

2017 -

"Possessing more concentration and richness than the other Cristia cuvees, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes-sourced from 95-year-old Grenache vines in the Cristia lieu-dit - combines hints of cedar and vanilla from the barrels in which it matured with ripe raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied and intensely flavored, it delivers those things without any sense of heaviness, remaining fresh, silky and elegant from boldly aromatic start to long, nuanced finish. Yum!"

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Aug/2019

2017 -

"Still in demi-muid when I visited in June, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes looks to be another terrific vintage of this wine, 100% Grenache aged in a mix of demi-muids, new and used barriques. Hints of cedar and garrigue accent raspberries and black cherries on the nose, while on the palate, this is full-bodied, concentrated and rich. It finishes with velvety expansiveness allied to surprising energy and freshness, even a touch of cracked pepper. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Dec/2019

2017 -

"Deep bright-rimmed ruby. Oak-spiced cherry and Chambord aromas are complemented by vanilla and incense qualities and a touch of smokiness. Sweet and fleshy in style, offering red fruit preserve, cherry-vanilla and spicecake flavors that steadily expand with air. In a lush, extroverted style, with a long, smooth finish that features resonating oak and floral notes and even tannins that are quickly absorbed by the wine's sweet red fruit."

Wine Spectator, Nov/2018

2016 -

"Ripe, but bright and fresh, with a lively mix of raspberry, red currant and bitter plum coulis flavors streaming in, pulling light tea, singed sandalwood and anise notes along. Shows lovely detail and well-embedded acidity through the finish. Drink now through 2035. 600 cases made."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Apr/2018

2016 -

"Limpid ruby-red. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of cherry liqueur, Chambord and candied flowers, along with a subtle floral quality that gains strength with air. Energetic red berry and bitter cherry flavors are complemented by mocha and licorice flourishes that take a sweeter turn on the back half. Youthful tannins lend grip to a long, focused finish that strongly echoes the cherry and floral notes."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Aug/2018

2016 -

"The pure Grenache 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes reached 16.5% alcohol yet carries it really well, showing just a trace of warmth. Cola, cedar and black cherry notes lead into a plush, full-bodied wine with supple tannins and remarkable length. Although it may age past a decade, there's no real reason to defer gratification."

Wine Spectator, Feb/2018

2015 -

"This delivers a lush, enticing blast of cassis and raspberry and boysenberry preserve flavors, carried by a silky structure that lets the fruit play out at length, giving adequate time for black tea, singed apple wood, dried anise and fruitcake notes to fill in  throughout. Dreamy. Grenache. Best from 2020 through 2040. From France."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Dec/2016

2015 -

"(raised entirely in neutral demi-muids) Brilliant violet. Sexy, spice- and mineral-accented aromas of ripe red berries and incense carry a suave floral topnote. Juicy, penetrating and concentrated yet lithe, displaying impressive power and lift to the raspberry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors. Closes with resonating spiciness, silky, slow-building tannins and a strong echo of sappy red fruit. The marriage of depth and vivacity here is quite impressive."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct/2017

2015 -

"The pure Grenache 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (from 95-year-old vines) was raised in demi-muids. A lifted nose of raspberry liqueur leads into a full-bodied, creamy, supple wine that carries a bit of alcoholic warmth into the long, silky-textured finish."

James Suckling, Aug/2017

2015 -

"Plenty of ripe dark berry fruits and some toasted spices with mocha. too. The palate has a wealth of sweet red plum fruit that powers a fleshy finish. Drink now."