Marc de Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2000

After a bleak start to the year owing to frosts in spring, the 1998 vintage was saved by an exceptionally long and warm summer in the Rhône Valley. The wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape are deeply coloured and concentrated which has seen them receive very high scores from Robert Parker. This Eau-de-vie is made from the distillation of our Chateauneuf-du-Pape marcs (100% Grenache) from the 1998 vintage in our traditional alembic column still which is made entirely from copper. It was then aged in 228-litre French oak barrels for 20 years. This ageing process has given it an amber hue with straw-coloured tints. The nose opens up with aromas of fresh oak, Bourbon vanilla and marzipan which develop into notes of dried flowers and turmeric. The palate is rich and generous with a soft, smooth attack. It reveals predominantly spicy notes combined with bitter orange peel, liquorice and floral notes. The finish stretches out with attractive aromas of tobacco and rancio. The progressive evaporation of alcohol over the years (known as the ‘angels’ share’) has brought the natural alcohol by volume down to 42 degrees.