Château de Vaudieu, `Les Vieilles Roussanne` Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

Château de Vaudieu is an 18th-century estate that has been in the Bréchet family for over 50 years. The name ‘Vaudieu’ originates from ‘Vallée de Dieu’, or ‘Valley of God’, referencing the area's beauty around Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Laurent Bréchet, the grandson of the original owner, runs the estate today.

Vaudieu comprises 70 hectares of vineyards, 60 of which are planted with red varieties, on prized sites located just east of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, neighbouring the famed Château Rayas. The soils vary greatly, from sandy beds and calcareous hillsides to raised terraces of the famous ‘galets roulés’, offering huge potential for complexity in the wines. The fruit from the sandier soils lends aromatic elegance to the blend, while that from the ‘galets’ gives power and intensity.

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is a blend of 52% Roussanne, 40% Grenache Blanc, and 8% Clairette, sourced from the Château’s best plots found on the limestone flint hillsides and terraces of ‘galets roulés’. Half the blend is aged in used oak for eight months to add a complex roundness to the blend. The finished wine is textured with notes of almond, ripe stone fruit and a powerful mineral edge on the long finish. ‘Les Vieilles Roussanne’ and ‘Clos de Belvédère’ have exceptional ageing potential. Subtle oak, vibrant fruit and a refreshing salinity are framed by revitalising acidity and rich texture.

The ‘Closerie de Vaudieu’, the property’s second wine, blends Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It offers lively, berry fruits on the nose with juicy, ripe tannins that complement the cherry, cassis, and herbal character. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge ‘Grand Vin’ blends 54% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 16% Mourvèdre planted on sandy soil and red sandstone. It is aged in used oak for 12 months, adding power and complexity to the finished wine, which boasts flavours of ripe red and black fruits, sweet spice, and hints of liquorice. Consistently achieving high scores, ‘Amiral G’ and ‘L’Avenue’ are stunning site-specific expressions of Grenache. Sourced from 25-year-old vines planted on galets roulés over red clay soils, ‘Amiral G’ is opulent yet refined with intense aromas of ripe black cherry, wild herbs, and star anise. The fruit for ‘L’Avenue’ comes from 55-year-old vines planted on sand and limestone soils, resulting in a scented and ethereal expression with notes of raspberry, liquorice, and black tea.