2017 Domaine des Senechaux Chateauneuf-du-Pape 750 ml

Châteauneuf has historically been defined by its rugged, exuberant personality. Bordeaux is known for its mannered, sophisticated poise. So when one of the top families of Bordeaux’s Left Bank acquires one of the oldest estates in the cradle of the Rhône you get a two-for-one deal: the powerful fruit of France’s Midi delivered in a structured, ageworthy package.  

You get the 2017 Domaine des Sénéchaux, a Châteauneuf that stole our hearts from the first sip.

Sénéchaux is a rising star in the region, and this singular red stands out not just for its top-tier quality and distinctive style—concentrated, structured, and regal—but for its superb value. It nabbed a 94-point score from Jeb Dunnuck, which puts it within a point of regional icons like Beaucastel and Pegau—and at barely half the price.

This stunner is a tribute to the leadership of Jean-Michel Cazes, who owns Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux and has transformed Sénéchaux into one of the highlights of the region. Robert Parker has called Sénéchaux “one of the ‘go to’ wines of the appellation since Cazes purchased the property.”

The 2017’s nose jumps with complex spice: black pepper, garrigue, clove, and Chinese five-spice all woven into an elaborate tapestry. Finely knitted tannins underlie the rounded mouthfeel, and though concentrated black and red fruits dominate the juicy core, a brightness pervades through the finish, lending a surprising freshness that shines at the dinner table. 

It was the perfect match for the roasted lamb saddle we shared at the end of our Sénéchaux visit, and though it will gain complexity and nuance with a decade in the cellar, it’s also wonderful right now. Lovers of Châteauneuf—and Bordeaux—should take notice.