95 pts., $29.99 & the Greatest Modern Southern Rhône Vintage
Posted on: 09/13/18 12:01 PM
Thomas Calder has an eye for talent. Many of you may not know the name, but he’s behind a number of your (and our) favorite wines – Cédric Bouchard, Jérôme Prévost, Gérard Boulay, Domaine du Collier, Thomas Pico (Pattes Loup), Tissot … well, you get the idea. Exceptional quality, small growers and a demand that often achieves a cult-like status.
Calder’s selections often tend to become “the next big thing.” So, what do you think you should do with his Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer’s 2016 bottling? After all, it’s only $29.99, it has 95 pts. and every critic in the world has been crowing about just how good 2016 is in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In fact, last week Jeb Dunnuck set the world on fire with his onslaught of 95+ ratings for a whole slew of wines.
I am fairly confident, however, that very few of them will be found for $29.99, if any.
Order this in absurd quantities. This combination of appellation, vintage, rating and absolute quality is rare.
2016 Domaine des 3 Cellier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Alchimie
95 pts.: Powered by outrageously perfumed red berries, stone fruits and garrigue, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Alchimie is 60% Grenache, 16% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, with smaller amounts of Clairette Rose, Counoise, Terret Noir and Vaccarèse. Aged in foudre, the fruit and flowers of the region stay at the forefront of this full-bodied beauty. It’s complex and plush yet retains grip on the long finish. For the folks who bemoan high alcohol levels, this wine weighs in at a declared 14.5% and shows no heat.” Wine Advocate
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