Arriving at the estate, Florent Lançon tells me that the storm has just affected a large part of the future harvest... I ask him if he'd like to postpone the tasting, but he refuses, claiming that it will take his mind off things... It's 10 a.m. when we finish an anthological vertical tasting, faces are radiant, ideas for pairing wine and food make us salivate two hours before lunch, and we tell ourselves that great wines have something magical about them...
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète: this cuvée is produced only in the best vintages. The Grenache grapes come from the estate's oldest plot, on the safres-soils, western slope of the La Crau plateau. The Syrahs, also on safres, come from the Blachières terroir. Part of the wine is aged in barrels for 18 months, while the rest remains in vats. The wines are then blended and aged for a further year in foudre.
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète 2016
Rosebud, thyme, menthol and vanilla melt into a superbly velvety body, without heaviness or alcohol. Still squeezed by juvenile tannins, we savor the harmony of flavors and the purity of fragrances. A great bottle in the making. In the meantime, Simmental prime rib. 98/100
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète 2015
A sunnier nose of plum and yellow fruit, with a floral note. Smoother on the palate, perhaps more classic in balance, more "Châteauneuf" than 2016, but overall remarkably consistent. In its youth, its spicy profile would stand out with a Provençal-style stew. 96/100
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète 2010
The nose, reductive on opening, gradually gains refined notes of thyme and peony, while on the palate we savor a blossoming material, reminiscent of 2016, with perhaps a touch more firmness. Superb. Gigot de 7h. 96-97/100
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète 2009
This 2009 is just beginning to evolve towards Havana and a hint of blood orange. More ethereal and warm, the palate is nonetheless elegant, carried by a welcome mentholated freshness that softens the still-firm tannins. A comparison with the 2015 shows how far we've come in terms of "loose naturalness". Stuffed capon. 96/100
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète 2007
For once, a bottle that falls short in its evolution towards leather and fig. The palate remains fresh and opens up gastronomic prospects with small game. Lièvre à la royale. 93-94/100
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète 2006
Wonderful development, both gourmand and refined, Burgundian in its precision, but very Grenache in its aromas of Havana and blood orange. The whole offers a feeling of harmony that is absolutely irresistible today, but can be kept for another 10 years. A fine bottle. 97/100
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète 2005
Massive, warm, very little evolved despite its 18 years, this is a great Châteauneuf in terms of power, volume and complexity. Backed by solid tannins, it still has many decades ahead of it. In the meantime, cochon de lait à la broche. 95-96/100
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète 2001
First vintage ready to drink, suave and caressing, evolving on stewed red fruits, mint leaf and caramel. The wine's mouthfeel is delicious, full of consistency and mentholated freshness. 94/100
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1978
Unfortunately, this bottle was very aged, but we wanted to mention it in recognition of the generous gesture of offering this wine for tasting.
The other vertical tastings HERE