Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape

Domaine de Cristia was founded in 1942 by Étienne Grangeon in Courthézon, in the northeastern part of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. It takes its name from the lieu-dit Le Cristia. For decades the family sold its grapes to négociants. Baptiste Grangeon inherited the vineyards in 1999 and was the first to bottle under the Cristia name. The estate covers 20 hectares in the appellation, about 90% of them in the Cristia lieu-dit on sandy soils. Sand is the key to the style here: it tends to give Grenache perfume and silky texture rather than heavy power. The 2023 is 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from vines averaging around 60 years old. The fruit is destemmed and fermented in concrete, then matured in a mix of concrete and wood before blending. This CDP features notes of ripe black cherry, raspberry, and violet, with melted licorice and roasted garrigue underneath. The texture is round and juicy, and the finish is long. It is classic Châteauneuf, defined more by fragrance than by weight, and generous enough to enjoy now.