Chapelle St. Theodoric Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Grand Pin

Decanter, Sep/2025

2024 -

"Slightly darker fruit expression than their other wines, this has blackberry, plum and raspberry with a touch of menthol and thyme. Still only just medium-bodied, this has an inner fruit ripeness and slight silkiness on the palate that's balanced by bright acidity. Finishes with fine, gentle tannins, akin to fine tea. As it's so fresh, this will drink well young and into the medium term. Just the slightest touch of bitterness from the stems on the finish. Whole-bunch Grenache grown on sandy terroir and aged in demi-muids." - Matt Walls

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2025

2024 -

"Cut from the same cloth as the La Guigasse, yet perhaps even more complex, the 2024 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Grand Pin reveals red fruits, spring flowers, resinous herbs, conifer, and loamy earth. It's medium-bodied, pure, focused, and elegant, with beautiful tannins. This top release from Saint Théodoric is never the biggest, richest wine in a vintage yet shines for its complexity, nuances, and sheer class. Aged 24 months in 100% demi-muids, roughly 266 cases were produced."

Decanter, Sep/2024

2023 -

"There's A bit more spice and smoke to the whole bunch fruit compared to the Chapelle St Théodoric La Guigasse this year. It's a little fuller in body, with more generous fruit which helps to balance the stemmier elements. Good acidity and it's very fresh, though not terribly concentrated; it has length and intensity nonetheless. Pure whole-bunch Grenache from the sandy soils of Pignan nord, all aged in demi-muids."

Decanter, Sep/2024

2023 -

"There's a bit more spice and smoke to the whole bunch fruit compared to the Chapelle St Théodoric La Guigasse this year. It's a little fuller in body, with more generous fruit which helps to balance the stemmier elements. Good acidity and it's very fresh, though not terribly concentrated; it has length and intensity nonetheless. Pure whole-bunch Grenache from the sandy soils of Pignan nord, all aged in demi-muids." - Matt Walls

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/20254

2023 -

"Based on 100% Grenache from the sandy soils of the Pignan lieu-dit in the north of the appellation, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Grand Pin offers brilliant aromatics of spiced black cherries and mulberries intermixed with piney herbs, pepper, mint, and exotic flowers. Aged 24 months in 100% demi-muids, it's medium-bodied with a tight, nicely concentrated mid-palate, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. This is another beautiful example from this single parcel of sandy soils. There are roughly 270 cases produced."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2024

2023 -

"Also all Grenache, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Grand Pin is cut from the same cloth yet, as always, has a touch more exotic, floral, sappy-like character in its aromas and flavors. Wild strawberries, ground pepper, rose petals, sappy flowers, and herbes de Provence are just some of its nuances, and this beauty is medium-bodied, has a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It never seems to have the density of the La Guigasse yet brings another level of complexity and nuance. It too is a singular wine that readers should have in their cellar. The Le Grand Pin comes from the northern sector of the Pignan lieu-dit (sandy soils) and was not destemmed and is raised in demi-muids. There are a scant 266 cases produced."

Decanter, Sep/2023

2022 -

"Relatively pale in the glass. Pine needles and rosemary, very much a garrigue herb inflected nose. Broad and mouthfilling, generous and juicy, with rich strawberry fruit, ending on a sandy mineral note. Well balanced despite its breadth and warmth. Luxurious, languorous style that will drink well young and old. 100% old vine Grenache grown on sand in lieu-dit Pignan, no destemming, aged for 24 months in old demi-muids. 3,200 bottles made."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sept/2024

2022 -

"Like its La Guigasse counterpart, the 2022 Le Grand Pin - Chapelle Saint Théodoric is derived from vines planted on sandy soils (Lieu-dit Pignan Nord) and matured for 24 months in large barrels. Revealing a complex, dense bouquet of orange blood, cardamom, flowers, spices and dark cherries, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and ample with a suave texture, polished tannins and a fleshy core of fruit that pave the way to a mineral, endless finish. Crafted exclusively from Grenache Noir, this ambitious and exquisite wine possesses brighter acids than its counterpart, securing its place as my favorite. Produced at only 3,200 bottles." - Yohan Castaing

Decanter, Sep/2022

2021 -

"Orange tint to the pale red. Extraordinary nose, like walking through a pine forest after the rain. Fine tannins and a gentle plumpness to the palate. Good acidity and a mineral note on the finish. Ethereal stuff, a beautiful Grenache. Grown on sand in Pignan nord, no destemming and a very light extraction, matured in demi-muids for 24 months. 3,200 bottles produced." - Matt Walls

Decanter, Dec/2023

2021 -

"Transparent ruby purple with an orange tint. Orange peel, thyme and iodine, with some resinous notes from the forthright whole bunch influence. Not terribly full, fat or concentrated – it's just over medium-bodied, with a gentle fullness on the palate. Well-balanced acidity, with a herbal bitter note on the finish that's manifested since bottling. For me it doesn't detract from the wine, I love its strong personality; for some, the whole bunch element might be too marked in this cooler year. Sandy soils." - Matt Walls

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sep/2023

2021 -

"From 35-year-old Grenache in Pignan, vinified as whole clusters and then aged 24 months in older demi-muids, this is a floral, ethereal expression of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, marked by scents of roses, lavender, strawberry compote and hints of pine resin. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky-textured, sappy, slightly green-tinged, refreshing and long on the finish." - Joe Czerwinski

Wine Spectator, Apr/2024

2021 -

"A juicy burst of ripe, fresh cherry and crunchy red currant notes is anchored by bolts of smoldering iron and meatiness in this extroverted version. Shows good depth, concentration and length on the silky palate, with accents of salty earth, dried flowers, grilled cedar and sweet oak spice echoing on the svelte finish. Drink now through 2032."

Decanter, Sep/2021

2020 -

"Rounded and generous, with the whole-bunch aspect integrated and harmonious. A touch of spice to the strawberry fruit, gentle in tannin and structure, with low acidity, then a long, savoury finish. 100% old-vine Grenache grown on sand in lieu-dit Pignan, no destemming, aged for 24 months in old demi-muids. 3,200 bottles made."

Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, Aug/2018

2016 -

"On the day of my visit this year, the 2016 La Guigasse was in full voice, while the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Grand Pin was singing quietly. Rosemary and pine notes accent dark fruit in this wine, which comes from 35-year-old Grenache vines in the Rayas lieu-dit. Boysenberry notes flood the full-bodied palate, bringing a smooth, velvety feel on the long, slightly warm finish. Winemaker Baptiste Grangeon opines, "For me, the 2015 is one of the best wines of my life, but Peter [Weygandt, the owner] says the 2016 is better." What fun it will be to see how this pair develops over the next decade or more."

Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, Oct/2017

2015 -

"These Grenache vines in the Rayas lieu-dit are only 35 years old, but the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Grand Pin was singing in full voice when I tried a prebottling sample. Lovely floral and garrigue notes accent the ripest cherries on the nose, while the palate is remarkably airy and delicate with a nearly endless, silky finish.

This joint venture between Baptiste Grangeon of Domaine de Cristia and American importer Peter Weygandt draws fruit from three hectares of land Weygandt owns in the La Guigasse and Rayas lieux-dits. The wines are 100% Grenache and vinified as whole clusters before being aged for 24 months in demi-muids. The 2015s were to be bottled on October 9th, just about one month after I tasted them."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct/2016

2013 -

"Juicy, with vibrant plum, raspberry and boysenberry notes streaming along, guided by a light alder frame and carrying through an iron-tinged finish. Very suave. Drink now through 2025."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Apr/2016

2013 -

"Deep, vivid red. Highly perfumed aromas of fresh raspberry, candied cherry and blood orange are complemented by suggestions of potpourri and Asian spices. Smells like a ripe Pinot Noir. Broad and silky on the palate, offering vibrant, spice-tinged red berry and floral pastille flavors and hints of allspice and star anise. Expands and deepens on the extremely long, focused finish, which features well-knit tannins and repeating floral pastille and spice qualities."