97 Points James Suckling - Now, it's time to taste history! Extremely aromatic for a Chateauneuf with extraordinary flint, spiced bread and bitter chocolate aromas. The interplay of richness and freshness is extraordinary, and the way the crisp tannins lift the concentrated and powerful palate is no less remarkable. A cuvee that recreates the pre-phylloxera situation and is based on 27% counoise, 25% grenache, 10% of white grape varieties and the rest from cinsault, syrah and mourvedre. The grapes are co-fermented, but completely unstemmed (whole cluster) and macerated for about three months. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.
95 Points Decanter - Beautifully detailed nose with peppery freshness. Intense, with fine tannins, gently saline and not overly marked by wood this year - lovely drinkability. This is excellent and based on a recipe belonging to an ancestor of the Lançon family. It's unusual in its proportion of Counoise; with it are co-fermented Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Clairette Rose and Grenache Blanc. Aged in three-year-old barriques. No filtration or fining. 2,600 bottles made. (Drink between 2024-2032.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck - The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vin De La Solitude checks in as a kitchen sink blend of Counoise (24%), Grenache (22%), Syrah (20%), Mourvedre (19%), and splashes of Cinsault, Clairette, Clairette Rosé, Picpoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, and Roussanne, brought up entirely in older barrels. Its ruby/plum color is followed by an exotic bouquet of mulled strawberries, red cherries, spice box, dried flowers, and new leather, with a subtle, somewhat exotic character that's hard to place. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied beauty with terrific balance, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. This pure, complex, spicy, incredibly satisfying 2020 can be drunk today or cellared for 10-12 years. Drink: 2022-2034.
Counoise (24%), Grenache (22%), Syrah (20%), Mourvedre (19%), and splashes of Cinsault, Clairette, Clairette Rosé, Picpoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, and Roussanne.
From the Winery - Vin de la Solitude is a tribute to our ancestor Paul Martin, who was one of the first French winemakers to sell his wine in bottles in the 18th century under the name “Vin de la Solitude”. Elegant and refined wine, tannic while remaining fresh. Floral nose with small black fruits and spices. A mouth with blackcurrant aromas, subtle tannins and a great length.
