Patrick Lesec Galets Blonds Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this excellent Châteauneuf-du-Pape that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 27 - and there are plenty of bottles available across Ontario so you can easily add this to your cellar.

It is produced by Patrick Lesec Selections, a highly esteemed negociant making delicious wines in the Southern Rhône Valley. Being a negociant, Patrick does not own any vineyards - his specialty is sourcing the best fruit from various winegrowers and blending the fruit to craft his special cuvées in a consistent style year after year. His top cuvées, like this Galets Blonds, are single-vineyard, estate-bottled wines. Patrick uses non-interventionist winemaking principles, carefully choosing the components to make the final cuvée. He prefers stainless steel elevage, with oak playing a minor role to add texture and complexity. The wine are unfined and unfiltered, and bottled by hand when possible.

When I enjoyed the 2012 Patrick Lesec Galets Blonds Châteauneuf-du-Pape five years go, it ended up being one of my favourite wines of the year. The 2017 vintage was very dry in Southern Rhône, resulting in lower yields. In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the vintage lent itself to old vines with deep roots, such as those found in this predominantly old vines Grenache blend. Some of the best 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are the special cuvées such as this bottling. Let's see how it is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

PATRICK LESEC GALETS BLONDS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2017 - AC, Rhône, France (#78089) (XD) - $60.95
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre from old, low-yielding vines that were grown on sparse, boulder-covered soils. Rich, medium-high intensity aromas deliver ripe blackberry, raspberry, and smoky crushed rocks with touches of pepper spice. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the palate with lovely aroma replays joined by some dried herb and gentle oak spice flavours. Good fruit concentration holds up well to the slightly warming alcohol, lifted by mouthwatering acidity. Fine-grained, slightly chalky tannins are nicely textured. Stony mineral, wood spice, and blackberry notes linger on the long finish, with excellent length. Exceptional! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines from Patrick Lesec can be ordered via their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.