Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France

About Domaine Saint Prefert

In the 1920's a pharmacist from Avignon Fernand Serre purchaced some vineyards south of Chateauneuf du Pape in the area, where a lieu-dit Les Serres was named like himself. He built cellars in the fields and a new domain was born "Domaine de Saint Préfert". After him another generation Carnille and Suzanne Serre took over. In 2002 Isabel Ferrando, formerly a banker, purchased the domain which has 13.2 ha. AOC Chateauneuf du Pape. The vines are very old, some of them more than 100 years. Several plots at the estate has to be replanted and this long term work has been started and will continue for years to come.

Isabel Ferrando gets advice from Philippe Cambi known as the advisor for several estates in Chateauneuf du Pape. Together they have started a kind of revolution for the domain. Their first vintage was 2003.

Robert Parker rating: 90-92 The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cinsault. Half of it is aged in 600-litre demi-muids and the rest in cement tanks. The wine is delicious, showing the brilliant typicity of the appellation in its notes of lavender, melted licorice, kirsch liqueur, tapenade, and spice box. It is soft, round, full-bodied, very sexy, exceptionally pure, layered, and just a brilliant Chateauneuf du Pape. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.

Rated 95 - The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier (81.2% Grenache, 15% very old vine Cinsault, and the rest Syrah, half of it aged in cement tanks and blended with the other half aged in three-year-old, 600-liter demi-muids) is another exhilarating wine. Blue/purple to the rim, with notes of camphor, incense, blueberries, licorice, spring flowers, and copious fruits of assorted red and black colors, the wine is broad, full-bodied, with superb purity, good freshness, and stunning length and texture. This gorgeous wine should age nicely for up to two decades. - Robert Parker