Cuvée du Vatican Réserve Sixtine 2004

Cuvée du Vatican used to be one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's best kept secrets, until discovered a few years back by the American wine critic, Robert Parker.

Cuvée du Vatican Réserve Sixtine is Jean-Marc Diffonty's limited release special cuvée, made with 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and a generous 20% of the peppery Mourvèdre, all traditionally fermented with a long maceration to extract maximum colour and flavour.

The result is a powerful and seductive style of Châteauneuf with deep colour and vibrant, ripe aromas of wild berries, spice and black pepper. This is the ideal accompaniment to rich meat dishes such as venison, and lamb casserole or an equally weighty vegetarian stew. Open an hour before serving and decant carefully as the wine may throw a deposit.