Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape

"Xavier Vignon, along with Philippe Cambie, are probably the two most highly renowned oenologists in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as some of the surrounding Cotes du Rhone regions. ...He is the consultant for such well-known domaines as Raymond Usseglio, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux, Grand Veneur and La Gardine....They access gorgeous fruit from many different appellations and are doing a top-flight job of getting impressive quality into the bottle. Moreover, there are some top values in their portfolio as well." - Robert Parker

"Many of his wines are released quite late onto the market, as he prefers to age wines up to three winters before bottling and two winters after bottling." - Robert Parker

2016 Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape...$44.99
Average 60-80 years
"The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is a full-bodied blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, aged in a mix of concrete and wood vessels. Ripe stone fruit, raspberries and cherries cascade across the palate, framed by creamy-supple tannins and mouthwatering acids. While approachable now, there's enough structure to warrant cellaring for up to a decade. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
Rated 92/100 The Wine Advocate
"Mostly Grenache, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Xavier comes from all the terroirs of the region. Its deep ruby color is followed by a complex, elegant red that has medium to full body, good acidity, and classic notes of garrigue, leather, underbrush, and ripe red and black fruits. It's a beautifully textured, elegant, and balanced effort to drink over the coming decade."
Rated 92/100 Jeb Dunnuck


2016 Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape XV....$54.99
100 year old vines
The second year Vignon has produced this cuvée, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape XV is a plush but restrained blend that incorporates more Mourvèdre and less Syrah, with the Grenache and Mourvèdre co-fermented when possible. It shows a bit of toasty oak up front but balances that with ample black cherry fruit and soft, dusty tannins. Long and harmonious on the finish, it should drink well on release in 2019 and for a decade or more after that.
Rated 94/100 The Wine Advocate
A blend of equal parts Mourvèdre (from the northern part of the appellation) and Grenache (from the southern part of the appellation), the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée XV offers ripe black cherries, cured meats, lavender, and ground pepper. This beauty is fresh, elegant, and seamless on the palate, with good acidity and a great finish. It's going to be better with 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for 10-15.”
Rated 94/100 Jeb Dunnuck