To my mind this historic property produces one of the appellation's most complex and concentrated wines. A wine from the 'old school' and proud of it. In the finest vintages Pegau's Chateauneuf-du-Pape will age gracefully for twenty years or more gaining richness and weight; although sometimes I feel it hardly ages at all (the '78 tasted recently was still youthful and majestic). The domaine is owned and run by the rugged, Rugby-loving Paul Feraud with his daughter Laurence.
The property is made up of eleven separate vineyard parcels spread throughout the appellation totalling 18 hectares. The jewel in the estate's crown is a proportion of la Crau to the east, one of the finest vineyard sites. Here many of the vines are approaching their centenary, but as Laurence Feraud is quick to point out, "As good as our piece of La Crau is, we can't really vinify it by itself because the wild yeast on the grapes can't chew through all the sugar".
The red Chateauneuf-du-Pape (a small quantity of white is also produced) is composed of 75% Grenache with 25% Syrah, Mourvedre and Counoise. The family usually harvest late (they didn't complete the '98 harvest until 8th October, which created a problem since all their pickers had returned to college!). The grapes are then carefully selected. After a light crushing they are tipped into the concrete vats without de-stemming. The maceration and initial alcoholic fermentation last about 15 days before the juice is run off and the marc (grape skins) is pressed. The wine is then aged for around 18 months in old oak foudres. No fining or filtration is carried out and a very low amount of sulphur is used during bottling. An assemblage of the various foudres is made after around one year. Wines deemed not good enough are sold off in bulk or assembled into their vin de pays.
Per case ex VAT
Southern Rhone
2004 Chateauneuf-du-Pape 'Cuvee Laurence' The dark plum/garnet-tinged 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence boasts sweet lavender, Provencal herb, cassis, and black cherry aromas. In the mouth, it is full-bodied with superb fruit concentration as well as Provencal typicity. In many ways, this cuvee is slightly more evolved (because of longer aging) than the Cuvee Reservee. It also seems more complex and slightly less tannic. Drink it now and over the next 12-15 years. (RP)
750.00
Except where indicated all wines are priced per case of 12x75cl exclusive of VAT and onward UK carriage.
Delivery charges (exclusive of VAT):-
1 case - £11.95
2-3 cases - £9.50
4 + cases - FREE
E&OE. All wines are available subject to remaining unsold.
For export and all customers requiring the facilities of a bond the majority of our wines are available without duty under bond.
Current duty rates per 12 x 75cl,
still wines £19.26
sparkling wines £24.67
fortified wines £25.68
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