2016 Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines 750 ml

“WOW” was our first reaction on tasting this monumentally good Domaine Grand Veneur Les Origines, whose chocolate-y tannins and tremendous black fruit concentration place it among the best Châteauneuf-du-Papes in 2016’s superlative vintage. Similar, sometimes unprintable exclamations of surprise could be heard from our offices when we found out we’d have just 23 cases to go around, and that Wine Enthusiast was about to honor this bottle with a whopping 97-point score and “Cellar Selection” designation. 

That's just the cherry on top of a mountain of critical praise for this effort from the famous Jaume family, with 95 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, which called it “as sexy as they come.” Jeb Dunnuck declared it “an awesome wine” with 95 points, adding: “there are few better run estates in the world than that of the Jaume Family’s Grand Veneur.” 

Elsewhere, this intense, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which combines textbook notes of pepper, game, and earth, will cost you $70 a bottle. Thanks to our charm offensive and proven, powerful base of Rhône buyers, we got it for you at $55. This one will move fast. With at least 15 years of runway in the cellar, this bottle is a must-have.

During our whirlwind tour through the Rhône, we had to make tough calls about who to see and which estates to skip—there’s only so many hours in the day, and just so much our livers can handle in a week. But Domaine Grand Veneur is non-negotiable. We’ve had sell-out success with their wines in the past, and it’s no mystery why.

They are “one of the most brilliant estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape” says Parker’s Wine Advocate, arguing: “these are some of the most exciting wines coming out of the region and they should not be missed!” The lineup from fifth-generation winemaker Alain Jaume and his children Sébastian, Christophe, and Hélène includes brilliant cuvées like Le Miocene and Vieilles Vignes. But on this trip, we had our sights set on the iconic Les Origines, which hails from an organically farmed vineyard in the northern extreme of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It’s here that ancient vines eke out fruit marked by inky depth, power, and richness. We’ve never sold it before, and couldn’t be happier to share it with a few of you today—if only we had more! 

The Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah sees 50% new oak, perfectly integrated into the wine’s dark, layered fruit and meaty, savory notes. If you can keep your hands off it, it will still be setting off fireworks in a decade.