Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée 'Renaissance'

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct/2025

2023 -

"Evoking a deep, brooding bouquet of licorice, black pepper, dark cherries and violet, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance is a pure and impressively elegant expression of the vintage. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, it’s built around a well-integrated chassis of ripe tannins and displays excellent balance and breadth, culminating in a long, graceful finish with lingering spice and floral character. A blend of 60% Grenache Noir and 40% Syrah, it was matured for 24 months in a mix of large barrels (67%) and new oak, the latter so discreetly integrated it’s scarcely perceptible. This is a polished, harmonious wine that marries power with finesse." - Yohan Castaing

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2025

2023 -

"The more Mourvèdre-dominated release, aged 24 months in 33% new barrels and 67% demi-muids, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance delivers gorgeous aromatics of blackberries, currants, smoked Provençal herbs, and peppery spice. Based on 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, it's rich and medium to full-bodied, with a round, layered mouthfeel and velvety tannins. This beautiful, layered, sexy, impeccably put together beauty shows beautifully already yet will continue evolving gracefully for 15 years. There are roughly 500 cases produced. Drink 2025-2040."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2024

2023 -

"The 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is the usual blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, from the sandy Cristia and Font du Loup lieu-dits, that will see two years in a mix of new and used barrels. This deep ruby/plum-hued beauty exhibits a ripe, powerful nose of blackberries, smoked garrigue, graphite, violets, and hints of game. It's beautiful on the palate, has full-bodied richness, solid background oak, and ripe, polished tannins. It's not for the anti-oak crowd, but it’s beautifully put together and will round into a much more classic Châteauneuf du Pape with 4-6 years of bottle age."

Decanter, Sep/2023

2022 -

"Wow, what a nose! Leaf tea, menthol and pine resin, a really captivating and complex display. Dense and intensely solid, with fine, bold tannins. The acidity is deep-set, rising gently through the fruit, leading to a long finish. Shows how well some Mourvèdre performed this year. Two thirds aged in demi-muid, the rest in barrique; one third new oak, that's very well integrated. Drinking window: 2026-2040."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2023

2022 -

"Lastly, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is based on 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre. Its deep ruby/plum hue is followed by a more exotic bouquet of wild strawberries, Provençal garrigue, pot roast, and spicy, meaty nuances that carry to a full-bodied, concentrated, lively 2022 with fine tannins and outstanding length. It's going to need some bottle age, but it’s certainly a beautiful, exotic wine."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Jun/2024

2022 -

"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance is towering. Blending 60% Grenache with 40% Mourvèdre, it showcases prominent orange rind, crushed violet, strawberry and melted licorice alongside herbal aromas. Full-bodied and concentrated, the 2022 hits the palate with absolutely no rough edges and culminates in a refined finale. This is a terrific Renaissance of outstanding purity and remarkable elegance."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sept/2024

2022 -

"The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance, a blend of Grenache Noir (60%) and Mourvèdre (40%) planted on sandy soils in Le Cristia and La Font du Loup lieux-dits, reveals a more dense, earthy and somber bouquet than its counterparts, evoking aromas of bay leaf, fresh thyme, coniferous forest and dark berries. Medium to full-bodied, lively and concentrated, it's dense and robust with structured but well-extracted tannins and a serious structure. The significant proportion of Mourvèdre in the blend imparts an earthy, austere character, making this wine particularly well-suited for extended cellaring." - Yohan Castaing

Wine Spectator, Feb/2025

2022 -

"A full-throttle and decadent red, this unfurls layer after layer of spiced fruit cake, plum and cherry liqueur grounded by graphite and smoke notes, plus plum skin bitterness. Ripe tannins melt into the structure of the wine, with seductive notes of simmering incense. For fans of the ultragenerous style, this is stylish and delicious." - Kristen Bieler

James Suckling, Jun/2024

2022 -

"A flavorful, well-composed and agile red with plenty of tension. The nose shows notes of sweet cherries, potpourri and warm spices. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins. Bright and vivid at the center, with a solid frame of tannins on the edge bringing a more serious expression on the palate. Dense and well-built, with a creamy core of red berries and spices in the finish. From organically grown grapes. Try from 2026."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2024

2022 -

"The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is the normal 60/40 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre that spent two years in a mix of demi-muids and barrels, one-third being new. Its ruby/plum hue is followed by a beautiful nose of mulled red and black fruits, roasted garrigue, ground pepper, and lavender. With medium to full-bodied richness, a plush, layered mouthfeel, evolved tannins, and a great finish, it needs 2-4 years of bottle age to come together. While I don't think this matches the all-time greats from this estate, it's a beautiful representation of the vintage. There are 500 cases produced."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sep/2023

2022 -

"A bit lighter in hue than the Vieilles Vignes cuvée, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance boasts ethereal notions of garrigue and red raspberries. Just medium to full-bodied, it's framed by silky tannins and crisp, mouthwatering acids on the finish."

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2022

2020 -

"...the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre that’s from the southern portions of the Cristia lieu-dit and the Font du Loup lieu-dit, both being sandy soils. It has a slightly modern vibe due to the new oak but boasts classic Provençal notes of gamey meats, ground pepper, garrigue, and woodsmoke. Pure, full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it's going to offer pleasure in its youth but warrants 2-4 years of bottle age. It will keep for two decades."

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2021

2020 -

"A more Mourvèdre-heavy blend, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that has the Grenache brought up in tank and the Mourvèdre in new barrels. It's always a more modern styled wine in the lineup, yet it holds onto ample Southern Rhône style and has a meaty, complex, peppery style as well as medium to full body, ripe, building tannins, good purity of fruit, and outstanding length on the finish. It shows a kiss of new oak, yet there's unquestionably enough fruit to handle it. This is a beautiful vintage of this cuvée."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Apr/2023

2020 -

"The pale ruby-colored 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre. It opens with aromas of very ripe and occasionally cooked red and black fruits, dried herbs and a cloud of oak derived notes such as cloves and vanilla. This is not surprising, as it aged for 18 months in a combination of demi-muids and new oak barriques. Full-bodied and rich, the 2020 Renaissance is a well-structured, modern red which requires a few more years in bottle."

James Suckling, Apr/2023

2020 -

"There’s so much tar character in the nose it smells like the freeway is melting. However, the expansive palate is properly dry and rather fresh. Crisp finish. A cuvee of 60% grenache and 40% mourvedre. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sep/2023

2020 -

"A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre aged in one-third new barrels (the rest went into demi-muids), Cristia's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance features intriguing aromas of cedar, ripe cherries, toasted coconut and stone fruit. It's full-bodied, supple and easy to drink, but if you prefer a less oaky version of CdP, opt for the regular cuvée."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May/2022

2020 -

"Charred and smoky, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance—a 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre maturing in barriques (one-fourth new)—is showing entirely too much oak at the moment, but there's some decent black raspberry fruit, which will hopefully emerge with further élevage. Medium to full-bodied, it's soft and plush, with swirls of vanilla and mocha on the finish."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2020

2019 -

"Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is the normal 60/40 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre that sees some small barrels. It’s a different beast and offers tons of smoky black fruits, chocolate, violets, and floral notes. While it has a modern kiss on the nose, it shows more and more floral notes with time in the glass and is beautifully polished and elegant on the palate, with a weightless texture. As with the Vieilles Vignes cuvée, it holds onto a wonderful sense of purity and freshness. It’s another powerful yet balanced wine from this estate that will have 15+ years of prime drinking."

Jeb Dunnuck, Nov/2021

2019 -

"The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is a bigger, richer wine based off 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre. Deep ruby/purple-hued, it has rock star purity in its cassis and ripe blackberry fruits as well as spicy oak, roasted meats, toasted spice, and chocolate aromas and flavors. A more elegant, polished wine than usual, it already has some up-front appeal. It's going to integrate its oak élevage with 2-4 years of bottle age and should have 10-15 years of prime drinking thereafter. The purity and texture here are spot on."

Wine Spectator, Feb/2022

2019 -

"Dark and winey, with delicious waves of cassis, raspberry paste and plum puree coursing through, laced with licorice and tar notes that help extend the finish. Late flashes of singed anise, bitters and wood spice add an alluring echo. Best from 2023 through 2038. 300 cases made." - James Molesworth

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May/2022

2019 -

"A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre aged in a combination of demi-muids and new barriques, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance shows plenty of smoky, toasty nuances laid over the top of roasted cherries. Full-bodied, rich and velvety in texture, it finishes long, with overtones of mocha lingering on the finish. It's oaky now, but it should improve with short-term cellaring. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes."

Decanter, Sep/2019

2018 -

"The 2018 was relatively kind to Mourvèdre, and this cuvee contains 40%, the rest made up with Grenache. It has an intense, old-vine Mourvèdre presence; deep, dark fruits and a distinctive, appealing note to the dense, ripe tannins that reminded me of well-worked vintage leather. This has great vinosity and real depth, not always easy to find in the 2018 vintage. The oak work is deft, noticeable for now, but it will benefit the wine both texturally and aromatically in time. Lithe and muscular - a shark of a Châteauneuf. Organically grown on the sandy soils of Le Cristia and La Font du Loup. Aged for 18 months in oak before release, one third in new barriques, two-thirds in demi-muid."

Jeb Dunnuck, Oct/2020

2018 -

"Checking in as a normal blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance has a slightly more modern bouquet that includes plenty of red and black currants, spicy oak, dried garrigue, and classic Mourvèdre meatiness. It too is full-bodied and has a supple, elegant, plush texture, bright tannins, and a great finish. The cuvée normally needs a good 3-4 years of bottle age, but the 2018 is one of the more approachable examples of this cuvée that I can remember. You can probably safely drink this any time over the coming 15 years or more."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Aug/2021

2018 -

"Opaque magenta. Deep-pitched, spice-accented cherry, blueberry, licorice and fruitcake scents are energized by building floral and mineral flourishes. Intense red and blue fruit liqueur and floral pastille flavors take on suggestions of allspice and bitter chocolate. Turns sweeter with air and finishes on a youthfully tannic note, delivering resonating cherry and floral notes and impressive tenacity."

Wine Spectator, 2021

2018 -

"Ripe but restrained, with a bit of charm to its raspberry and cherry coulis notes that mix with red tea, mineral and singed cedar accents. The fruit darkens up a touch through the finish, with a juicy edge lingering. Drink now through 2034."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Aug/2019

2018 -

"The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance looks like another fine example of this cuvée, which is typically a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre. Hints of plum and black cherries accent raspberries on the nose of this full-bodied, velvety-textured and lush wine."

Decanter, Feb/2021

2018 -

"This is a modern, hedonistic style of Châteauneuf. Bay leaf, black olive, blackberry, demerara sugar and prune. Very ripe, but there is an inner freshness and good definition to the flavours. Already it is taking on the complexity of very ripe Grenache, and this should build. Alcohol is high. Organically grown on the sandy soils of Le Cristia and La Font du Loup. Aged for 18 months in oak before release, one-third in new barriques, two-thirds in demi-muid."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Dec/2019

2017 -

"Limpid ruby-red. Intense, spice- and mineral-accented red and blue fruits and candied flowers on the expansive nose. Stains the palate with suave Chambord, boysenberry, spicecake and succulent herb flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Fine-grained tannins sneak in late to add gentle grip to impressively persistent blue fruit and floral notes."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Aug/2019

2017 -

"Still in demi-muids and barrels when I visited, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance is a 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, again from the sandy soils that characterize all of the wines from this domaine. It's full-bodied, plush and round, loaded with black cherries and plums—and just a hint of vanilla on the lingering finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes."

Wine Spectator, Nov/2018

2016 -

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Dec/2019

2016 -

"Bright violet. Highly perfumed red fruit preserve, incense and potpourri scents are complemented by suave baking spice and vanilla flourishes. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering intense Chambord, cherry pie, lavender and cola flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. Shows excellent clarity and spicy thrust on the gently tannic finish, which emphatically repeats the red fruit and floral notes."

Wine Spectator, Dec/2017

2015 -

"This has an intense core of crushed plum, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, draped with melted licorice notes and backed by a wave of warm fruitcake. Hedonistic for sure, but accents of anise, violet and singed apple wood dart around, adding extra facets of intrigue to hold your attention. Grenache and Mourvedre. Best from 2020 through 2040. From France."

Wine Spectator, Feb/2018

2015 -

“This has an intense core of crushed plum, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, draped with melted licorice notes and backed by a wave of warm fruitcake. Hedonistic for sure, but accents of anise, violet and singed apple wood dart around, adding extra facets of intrigue to hold your attention. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Best from 2020 through 2040. 600 cases made, 150 cases imported.”

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct/2017

2015 -

"The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre. It's a super ripe and plush wine, loaded with dark cherries, cola and baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg (the Mourvedre component is aged in oak). With its soft tannins and touch of warmth on the finish, it should be consumed relatively young."

Wine Spectator, Oct/2012

2010 -

"This has a lot going on, with dark ganache and espresso followed by roasted alder and juniper notes, before the core of plum, blackberry and steeped black currant fruit finally starts to assert itself. The long finish lets bay and tobacco leaf notes stride through with a tarry edge as well. Shows great character. Best from 2015 through 2030."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Feb/2015

2010 -

"Checking in as a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance is another super-sized, full-bodied, concentrated, and yet pure and polished example of this cuvee. Offering up notions of sweet cassis, blackberries, salt block, violets and vanilla bean, it's enjoyable now in an exuberant, flashy sort of way, yet needs cellaring to show its full potential. Give bottles another 3-4 years and enjoy through 2030."