Domaine Duseigneur – Châteauneuf du Pape “Le Songe de Catherine” 2016

Description

Domaine Duseigneur is all about making great wine through biodynamic principles, and their dedication to these principles is reflected in the beautiful astrolabe printed on all their labels (an astrolabe is an elaborate instrument used in astronomy, which is part of biodynamics).

Almost everyone who knows anything about French wine knows Châteauneuf du Pape.  Although the regulations allow up to 13 varieties of grapes to be used, Domaine Duseigneur prefers to use 100% Grenache where possible, letting the spicy, berry flavours of this variety shine.

Le Songe de Catherine, like the Catarina, is named after Catherine of Siena, a saint who visited the nearby city of Avignon in the year 1376.  It was said that she used to have mystical dreams or visions, the name “Le Songe de Catherine” means “Catherine’s dream”.

You might be wondering why le Songe de Catherine is more expensive than Catarina, since they’re both Châteauneuf du Pape, are both organic, and are both made from 100% Grenache?  Well, le Songe de Catherine is a single-vineyard wine, similar to Premier Cru or Grand Cru Burgundy, while Catarina uses grapes from 3 separate vineyards.  Le Songe de Catherine is also aged for twice as long as Catarina in oak barrels, giving more time for the tannins to soften and complex aromas to develop.

Because all the grapes in le Songe de Catherine come from a single vineyard, the soil has a great influence on the wine.  This particular vineyard is planted on soil that is mainly composed of limestone slabs, which is rather rare for a Châteauneuf du Pape wine, and gives freshness, elegance and balance.