Domaine du Pegau "Cuvee Reservee" Chateauneuf du Pape 2022
(Southern Rhone, France) - [WA 95-97] [JS 96] [JD 94-96] [VM 93-95] [DM 94]

Notes from the Winemaker:
The flagship of the Domaine du Pegau, the Cuvée Réservée represents the Domaine over the years. A blend of 13 grape varieties, mainly Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, the Cuvée Réservée reveals the typical characteristics of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape soils.

Grape varieties
Grenache 80%
Syrah 6%
Mourvèdre 4%
Others varieties 10%

Soil
Mainly covered with pebbles, clay and limestone mixture tends to iron and sand.

Winemaking / Elevage
Whole grape bunches are lightly crushed and fermented with wild yeasts for 5-7 days in traditional cement vats. This is followed by a further maceration period of 7-14 days, with1-2 pump-overs per day. The press and free run juice are then aged in 5,000 liter oak foudres for 24 months, and then blended and bottled without filtration.

95-97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
A quick assemblage from foudres of the 2022 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée reveals a dark-fruited, spicy style, enlivened by hints of violets and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich and densely concentrated, with a long, silky finish, it looks to be a near-carbon copy of the stunning, cellar-worthy 2019. 2025-2045." -JC (10/12/23)

96 Points - James Suckling:
"A very dark, structured and full-bodied Chateauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of leather, tar, raw meat and a hint of wild forest berries. Still very youthful and a bit closed, but the abundant fine-grained tannins give this terrific aging potential. A cuvee of 80% grenache, 6% syrah, 4% mourvedre and 10% other traditional grape varieties. Matured for two years in large, neutral oak. Drinkable now, but best from 2027."

94-96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Showing a solid step up over last year, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Reservée is a ripe, sexy, incredibly complex Pégau that's just about overflowing with red and black fruits, herbes de Provence, pepper, and leather-like aromatics. Reminding me slightly of a more elegant, less concentrated example of the 2009, it has full-bodied richness, a broad, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's already hard to resist yet should evolve nicely for 15-20 years if well stored." -JD (10/29/24)

93-95 Points - Vinous:
"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée showcases ripe red and black fruits amid spice box, crushed violet and licorice aromatics. Concentrated and layered, the grippy tannins demand at least five more years to integrate into the wine. That said, I don’t think it will be able to match the more complete 2020, but the ultimate test awaits after bottling. Readers should note that there will be no Cuvée Da Capo in 2022, mainly due to crop-reducing hail damage. (Drink between 2029-2042)" -NG (6/1/24)

94 Points - Decanter:
"Intriguing menthol nose, enjoyable garrigue herbal touches. It’s full-bodied, rounded, expressive, with good acidity. Robust tannins, so give this time to settle. Lots of whole-bunch characters, this is really quite old-fashioned, but in a good way – will likely always be a little lacking in elegance, but makes up for it with personality and textural relief, and a long finish. Also contains another 10 local varieties, around 1% of each. 2028-2037." -MW (9/17/23)