High Scoring Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Grab Some While They Last!

We have said it many times, the southern Rhone Valley in France makes many incredible wines, and offers tremendous wine values. La Bastide Saint Dominique is one of Rhone’s top wineries that produces great wine for an incredible value. We have been fortunate to sell the wines from La Bastide Saint Dominique since the 2005 vintage. Over the years, we have sold hundreds of cases of their Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and their single vineyard bottlings, “Secrets de Pignan” and today's wine, “Les Hesperides.” The last two releases of “Les Hesperides,” retailed between $65-$70 a bottle. This week, we were able to secure the last ten cases of the 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Les Hesperides."

La Bastide Saint Dominique was originally a 16th century chapel, before being purchased in 1976 by Gerard and Marie-Claude Bonnet, who then turned it into the successful wine estate. Located in the heart of Provence, almost all of their vineyards are in the northeastern sector of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The estate enjoys a perfect climate with the unique Mistral wind and hot, dry summers. The Bonnet’s children, Eric and Veronique pictured above, now run the family estate. Organically certified in 2014, the Bonnet family carefully farms their 65 acres of vineyards. They use a combination of traditional and progressive techniques, resulting in vibrant, mineral-driven wines with a unique sense of place. Their wines have consistently received scores of 90 points or higher from the wine press, with many of their vintages scoring above 95 points.

Today, we have on sale, the Bonnet's 2013 vintage of their top estate grown wine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Les Hesperides.” We were very pleased to find ten cases of the 2013 vintage, a high scoring wine, that is ready to drink now or can cellar for another five years. Most wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape are mostly Grenache, “Les Hesperides” however is made with an unusually high amount of Mourvèdre, a deep, dark red grape known for its power, longevity and "garrigue" notes. This is why in a difficult vintage like 2013, the wine thrived. This small production red is made from a tiny two-acre vineyard that was planted in 1950. “Les Hesperides” is the name of the lieu-dit, or small place, where the vineyard is located.

This is a bottle any lover of Rhone wines should buy. When young, the Mourvèdre is tannic and backwards and this needs years to settle down. It is in great shape now and perfect to enjoy with whatever you are grilling this summer. A typical vintage of this wine has a lifespan of up to 15 years so I would have no problem aging this for another five years.

La Bastide Saint Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Les Hesperides” 2013 750mL

93 Points - Wine Advocate
"While Grenache struggled in the vintage, Mourvèdre did well, and the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape les Hesperides (50/50 Grenache and Mourvèdre) has beautiful purity in its dark fruits, plum, pepper, spring flower and mineral-laced bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, ripe and nicely concentrated, it’s a hidden gem in this generally disappointing, difficult vintage. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years. Drink through 2023" - Jeb Dunnuck