2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Grand Vin, Château de Vaudieu

• Style: Ripe, structured Southern Rhône red
• Taste: Dark cherry, white pepper, graphite, jammy fruit with savoury length
• Food: Roasted lamb, braised beef, aged cheese
• Occasion: Date night, gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 16–18°C, 2024–2032

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

The 2022 shows ripe intensity without heaviness—a snap of white pepper and minerality threading through jammy red fruit, with long savoury length hinting at graphite and cocoa. The structure is supple, acidity lively, tannins fine-grained. At 15% alcohol, it's powerful enough to command attention yet refined enough to drink alone or beside food without overwhelming. Grenache & Garnacha forms the backbone (50%), supported by Syrah's peppery character (28%), with Cinsault's floral lift and Mourvèdre's dark weight completing the blend.

The Winery — Château de Vaudieu

An 18th-century estate held by the Bréchet family for over 50 years, now under the stewardship of Laurent Bréchet and his daughter Elise. The name 'Vaudieu' derives from 'Vallée de Dieu'—Valley of God—honouring the region's beauty. The château farms 60 hectares of red vineyards on prized sites just east of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with soils ranging from sand to river-rounded stones and clay. Sandier parcels lend aromatic refinement; the pudding stones deliver power. Fruit was hand-picked and fermented cool over a month with natural yeasts, then split between new and older French wood depending on variety—a classical Southern Rhône approach keeping fruit primary and oak discreet. The 2022 vintage brought hot, dry ripening after spring rain, allowing berries to ripen fully while preserving the acidity essential for balance at this alcohol level.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Born for roasted lamb, braised beef, and aged Comté. The wine's savoury backbone and fine-grained tannins make it equally at home beside grilled dishes, stews, game, and venison. Serve at 16–18°C; this is a masterclass in regional balance that rewards the glass immediately and develops beautifully in the cellar through 2032. One of the finest expressions available at this price point. Suitable for vegan and vegetarian tables. Explore more from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or browse the rest of our France selection.