2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Prestige, Roger Sabon, Rhône

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Description

The well-named Prestige has been aged in both foudre and demi-muid. Again, it is a triumph of purity and concentration. More than 95% of the blend is made from old-Grenache to which has been added Syrah and Mourvèdre, although Didier advises that there are also small amounts of both Counoise and Vaccarese. Black fruits and tapenade dominate the palate, with hints of tobacco, graphite and licorice underlining latent complexity.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

The loquacious Didier Negron recognises that Grenache was plentiful in 2011, unlike the coulure-blighted 2010, but that it had to be treated with care. The juxtaposition of an impressive early flowering and a cool but dry mid-season has engendered a heterogeneous crop, rather like 2007, but in a minor key. Didier’s clever manipulation of differing sizes of container in order to undermine the oxidative nature of Grenache, has ensured the purity and definition of his wines. He is proving a most worthy successor to the great Jean-Jacques Sabon, his father-in-law, who died last year.

Colour Red

Sweetness Dry

Vintage 2011

Maturity Ready - mature (2015 - 2025)

Body Full Bodied

Producer Domaine Roger Sabon

Critics reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 93/100

Easily the most successful of the three, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige, which is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, is a rich, medium to full-bodied 2011 that has sweet tannin, great fruit and a big finish. Showing the vintage perfume and approachableness, with notes of blackberry, licorice and sweet spice, it should have a solid 10-15 years of longevity.jeb_dunnuck - 31/10/2013

Jeb Dunnuck, RobertParker.com (Oct 2013)

Jancis Robinson MW 16.5/20

Dark crimson. Opulent nose and then quite tight. Fades a little fast. But there is some energy here. Lots of sweetness. Then some sinewy tannins. jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com – 28 Feb 2013

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (Feb 2013)

Robert Parker 91-93/100

The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is composed of 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and the balance the other authorized varietals, particularly Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin, Vacarrese and Terret Noir. The fruit comes from nearly 100-year-old vines and aging takes place in a combination of old foudres and new oak (for the Syrah and Mourvedre components). Made in a quasi-modern style, it exhibits a dense plum/purple color, smoky vanillin, graphite, blackberry, cassis, coffee bean, herb and roasted meat-like notes, and a rich, full, juicy, succulent style. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. This has long been one of my favorite estates in the southern Rhone. Like many of the old families of Chateauneuf du Pape, the Sabons have been estate bottling since 1921. They own nearly 44 acres of vines divided among 15 different parcels, with some of their most significant holdings in the famed La Crau sector of the appellation. The style here is a brilliant combination of the best traditional techniques married to a handful of modern nuances. robert_parker, Wine Advocate #204, Dec 2012

Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (Dec 2012)

About this wine

Domaine Roger Sabon

Roger Sabon is described by Robert Parker as "one of the more intellectual vignerons in Châteauneuf du-Pape". His vineyard holdings are surprisingly small, around 14 hectares, which are divided between his properties in Lirac, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Cotes du Rhône. The Châteauneuf vineyards are well situated in Les Cabrieres, La Crau, Courtherzon and Nalys and the average age of his vines is unusually high with some of them dating back to the early 1900s. The general cepage is made up of 70% Grenache although this is reduced in his top two cuvées, the Cuvee Reservee and he Cuvée Prestige. Roger Sabon is a traditionalist and prefers to age his wines in small oak piece, none of which are new, for six months following a sojourn en cuve. He places great emphasis upon elegance rather than power in his wines and in youth his wine can be deceiving. With time, however, they grow and gain in depth and complexity and are some of the finest Châteauneufs being produced today.

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The largest and most important appellation in the southern Rhône, with more than 3,200 hectares of vineyards and over 80 growers, Châteauneuf-du-Pape produces more wine than the whole of the northern Rhône combined. The gloriously rich red wines, redolent of the heat and herbs of the south, are enhanced by the complexity which comes from blending several of the 14 permitted grape varieties including Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah.

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