Lavau Chateauneuf du Pape 2013

Ideally drink now through 2022. Decant 1 hour prior to serving

Lavau’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an excellent full bodied and well-structured example of the region that shows black plum, bing cherry, and spiced fruitcake aromas. A fruit driven but refreshing palate has notes of lingonberry, dried earth, smoky cedar, and cloves, with fine grained tannins that lead to a long, herbal tinged finish with mouthwatering acidity.

Gamebirds such as duck, pheasant, or quail would be excellent paired with this wine. Beef stroganoff, creamy mushroom pasta, or boar steak over rice pilaf would also be delicious.

A family owned and run company, Lavau has roots in wine going back to the mid-19th century, with the family living in St. Emilion in Bordeaux. After moving to Tunisia to start a wine business there, and then back again once Tunisia gained its independence, the family opened their eponymous negociant firm in the Rhone in 1965. Over the years they have bought over 180 hectares of land, with several different wine estates, and have long standing relationships with 350-plus winegrowers, which allows them to craft excellent quality wines at affordable prices across their various labels.

This Lavau Chateauneuf-du-Pape macerates for 30 days during fermentation, after which 50% sees 12 months in 1-2 years old 450L oak barrels, while the other 50% is aged in concrete vats.