Wines Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine Vieux Lazaret - 2023

Domaine Vieux Lazaret’s 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a classic red from one of the Rhône Valley’s most prestigious appellations. While precise varietal composition can vary from year to year and among producers, the blend often highlights Grenache, potentially complemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, and perhaps Cinsault. This combination typically yields full-bodied wines with generous, sun-ripened fruit, ample structure, and a complex aromatic profile, ranging from black cherries and plums to spiced notes of thyme, pepper, and garrigue. The 2023 vintage is likely to offer fresh primary fruit and supple tannins, showing the vibrancy of youth, but also carrying the underlying power and ageing potential for which the region is renowned.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape sits in the southern expanse of the Rhône Valley, bordered by the river and framed by rolling hills. The terroir is famous for its iconic galets roulés—rounded stones that absorb and reflect the sun’s warmth, helping grapes to reach perfect maturity. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate, marked by hot summers, mild winters, and the mistral wind, which keeps the vineyards healthy and dry. This unique combination of climate and soil, together with centuries of winemaking tradition, creates wines of remarkable generosity and character.

To best showcase this wine’s opulence and depth, pair it with robust, flavourful dishes. Roast lamb with Provençal herbs, duck breast, or beef daube would all be excellent partners, as would traditional southern French fare like ratatouille or wild mushroom stew. Mature hard cheeses also make for enjoyable companions, subtly enhancing the wine’s complexities.

For optimal pleasure, decanting the wine for at least an hour is recommended to allow its aromas to unfold. Serve at a temperature of around 16-18°C to highlight both its freshness and its layered intensity. While enjoyable in its youth for its vibrant fruit, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape will continue to develop beautifully with a few years of cellaring.