Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf du Pape 2023
(Southern Rhone, France) - [JS 95] [WS 93] [WA 92] [JD 91]

About the Winery:
The Lançon family descend directly from the 12th Century Barberini family of Rome.

The best known of the family, Maffeo Barberini, was a papal nuncio, or diplomatic representative, in Paris from 1604 to 1606, and was made Pope in Rome under the name Pope Urban VIII.

Two of his nephews became cardinals and a part of the family then settled down in Avignon. In the 1980s, brothers Michel and Jean Lançon took the future of Domaine de la Solitude in their hands, focusing attention on the vineyards.

Over the past several years, Michel’s son Florent Lançon has taken over the day-to-day operations of Domaine de la Solitude, continuing to make improvements while preserving the traditions of his father and uncle.

About this Wine: 

60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Counoise, 5% Cinsault

Historical cuvée produced since the 17th century, the Tradition Rouge is a blend of our different terroirs, on safres and on rolled pebbles and of the eight black grape varieties of the appellation. The entire vineyard is certified organic farming.
Yield: 32 hl/hectare.
Harvest: Harvesting is done by hand in 25 kg crates. 

Vinification and aging: 
• The grapes are hand-picked. 
• After a selection of the best bunches by hand on a sorting table, the grapes are crushed and destemmed and fall by gravity in our concrete tanks.
• Long maceration with gentle extractions allow to obtain velvetine yet powerful tannins, which are specific to our wines.
• 10% of the wine is then aged in oak barrels and demi-muids for 15 month, 90% in concrete vats.

Tasting Notes: 
A bouquet nose of garrigue, flowers of cistus, blackcurrant buds. A mouth full of freshness and balance, with aromas of cocoa and morello cherry, with a long and licorice finish.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - James Suckling:
"Very rich and spicy, with impressive concentration and stacks of fine, soft tannins on the full-bodied palate. There’s licorice and meaty intensity in the crescendo finish. A cuvee of 60% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% each counoise and cinsault. From biodynamically grown grapes. A small crop due to hail damage in May. Matured mostly in concrete tanks with a small number of oak casks. Drink or hold." (Apr 2025)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A fresh, attractive gush of cherry and plum shows beautiful lift, with a perfumy burst of dried lavender and gentle tannins, plus a tug of tar and roasted apple wood smoke. Elegance and finesse are the focuses in this highly drinkable version. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Counoise. Drink now through 2035. 8,000 cases made, 2,200 cases imported". – Kristen Bieler (Mar 2026)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape from Domaine de la Solitude opens with a dense, slightly oaky bouquet of dark plums, licorice, dark berries and chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, sappy and enveloping, it’s a concentrated wine framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a long, spicy finish. The blend—60% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault and 5% Counoise—was matured for 15 months in a combination of 10% new oak and concrete tanks. This is a powerful, polished wine with a clear technical signature." - Yohan Castaing (Oct 2025)

91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: 
"Coming from 50% galets roulés and 50% sandy safre soils, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape is based on 60% Grenache, 15% each Syrah and Mourvèdre, and 5% each Cinsault and Counoise. It was partially destemmed, vinified in concrete tanks, and aged 15 months in 90% concrete with 10% new French oak. Sweet red and black berry-like fruits intermix with peppery Provençal herbs, dried flowers, and spice. It's beautifully textured, medium-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. This perfect example of both the quality of this estate and the style of the vintage has roughly 5,666 cases produced. Drink 2025-2033." (Nov 2025)