2017 Louis Bernard Châteauneuf-du-Pape is sold out.

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Jeb Dunnuck’s “Terrific Value”

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    2017 Louis Bernard Châteauneuf-du-Pape 750 ml

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    • Curated by unrivaled experts
    • Choose your delivery date
    • Temperature controlled shipping options
    • Get credited back if a wine fails to impress

    Classic Châteauneuf from a “Brilliant” Vintage

    When our friend pulled the 2017 Louis Bernard Châteauneuf-du-Pape out of his EuroCave, we took note of the blockbuster bottles he was passing up: Beaucastel, Clos des Papes—a who’s who of marquee Rhône reds. 

    We couldn’t help feeling like we were missing out—until he poured us a glass of the 2017 Louis Bernard Châteauneuf-du-Pape and our FOMO went up in flames. Bursting with aromas of black cherry, spiced dark berries, roses, and violets, we were enamored by the nose alone. Then we took a sip and were taken aback by the bold and layered palate laden with confected cherry, dark cocoa, and generous tannins that glide to a long finish. 

    We stayed until the bottle was dusted, snapped a pic of the label, and when we called our host to thank him for the party, we complimented him again on his late-night selection. Then we got to work securing this wine for Wine Access members.

    We’re not alone in our love for this Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which Jeb Dunnuck called “forward,” “sexy,” and a “terrific value.” It’s a muscular and expressive wine that doesn’t hold back, delivering a quintessential Châteauneuf experience with every sip.   

    “Everything about Châteauneuf is big,” writes Decanter, and the 2017 growing season for the Southern Rhône certainly delivered on that declaration. Called a “brilliant” vintage by Jeb Dunnuck, 2017 provided the perfect ripening conditions for structured, powerful wines. Even with one of the driest summers on record, there was little water stress, thanks to a light and early crop. A long, sunny growing season allowed harvest to occur at optimum maturity, creating a “classic vintage for the region” according to Dunnuck, with wines that “ooze Provençal charm.” This was especially true for the late ripening Grenache that serves as the backbone of Bernard’s Châteaneauf-du-Pape. 

    While quality remained unimpeachable, the only downside of this excellent vintage was that yields in the Southern Rhône were extremely low. Vines produced nearly 65% less in some sectors, and Louis Bernard turned out less than one third of their normal output. We’ve made sure to secure several cases in our cellars before they’re gone—now, it’s your turn.