Domaine Du Pegau Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Cuvée Da Capo

The Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo is a red blended wine made mainly from Grenache and many other varieties: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse, Terret, Counoise, Picpoul, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussane, Muscardin and Picardan. This wine of AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape is produced by a winery in the Rhône, the Domaine du Pégau.

The Domaine du Pégau defends the traditional style of Provence and the Rhône. It is considered to be one of the main producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The estate has 70 hectares spread over 11 different vineyards, which enable it to produce a wide range of wines. The average age of its vines is around 40 years. The harvest is carried out when the grapes are fully ripe. Vinification is done without the addition of commercial yeasts.

Most of the vineyards of Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo are made up of centuries-old vines: their yields are low, but they produce a very balanced and structured grape. The soils of the plots are made up of pebbles, red clay and sand.

The grapes of Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo are harvested by hand late in the season, in order to select the bunches on the ground and to obtain the ripest grapes possible. They ferment in concrete tanks for nearly 10 days, without the addition of commercial yeasts and without temperature control. Finally, the wine is pressed and aged in a 60 hectolitre cask for two years.

Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo is a cult wine that has even been the subject of speculation. A superb blend of Rhône varieties. It is a complex and delicious wine with a huge ageing potential.

99-100 JD / 96-98 WA / 97 DE / 95-97 VM

A step up over the 2015, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Da Capo is another perfect wine in the making and reminds me of the incredible 1998. Inky colored, with a huge, powerful bouquet of garrigue, pepper, kirsch, cured meats, and bouquet garni, this rocking effort hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building tannin, yet a wealth of pure, opulent fruit. This is classic Pégau all the way, and if forced to pick one wine in the vintage to buy, this might be it. Give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age, and it's going to cruise in the cellar for 2+ decades. - Jeb Dunnuck

This marks the first time Pegau will bottle back-to-back vintages of da Capo. The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee da Capo was produced from the last block picked that year and fermented outside because the winery was full. It's 70% Grenache and 30% other mixed varieties. It comes across as huge in the mouth, with substantial tannin, fleshy dark fruit, perhaps a hint of warmth and intriguing licorice nuances on the endless finish. Given the positive way these wines evolve during their extended élevage, I wouldn't be surprised to see the final, in-bottle score inch up even higher. - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

All 13 varieties have been used from lieux-dits La Crau, Les Escondudes and Mont Pertuis, with no destemming. There's some complexity and interest on the nose already, with aromas of violets, blueberries, raspberries and a touch of tobacco leaf. The wine is medium to full-bodied, but without any heaviness, with sublime freshness and piercing acidity. This has real life, and a lightness of touch which delivers real drinkability. Very fine, abundant ripe tannins work like a lattice through the fruit. The fairly raised levels of alcohol don't give a sense of imbalance in the wine, and it finishes on a lifted note. The best Da Capo in a long time. Real elegance. - Decanter

Opaque bright-rimmed ruby. Potent red fruit liqueur, incense and Moroccan spice aromas on the highly perfumed nose; a smoky mineral element provides lift. Sweet, concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering intense raspberry liqueur and cherry cola flavors that pick up a smoky nuance with air. The penetrating, floral-dominated finish shows outstanding clarity and thrust, and harmonious tannins add framework and grip. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media