Over a decade ago, I co-owned a wine bar - if I owned it today, this Rhone red would be our featured Chateauneuf by the glass until the vintage ran out! 

An elegant and sophisticated wine, the 2019 Lavau Chateauneuf du Pape punches out of its price class. 

Lavau is the perfect bottle to grab when you feel like stepping away from California Cabs and into something a bit more refined and elegant.  (Refined and elegant - adjectives not often used to describe CDPs). 

"An outstanding wine, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape offers lots of ripe black and blue fruits as well as plenty of pepper, cedar, and sappy, green garrigue-like aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it’s nicely textured and has terrific balance along with a great finish."  Jeb Dunnuck

Why We Love This Chateauneuf

A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, we love this wine's versatility.  It is neither overpowering nor one-dimensional.  The soft, dusty tannins offer texture and grip.  The fruit is juicy but not extracted.  From duck to charcuterie to your favorite cheese, you cannot go wrong. 

With plum, dark cherries, pomegranates, red tea, and olive notes, this round and supple Rhone red can be enjoyed now (and should!) as well as age for another five years. 

A little secret about this wine - it is sourced from the famed Maucoil estate in the Rhone.  With an outstanding pedigree and a price that would make other Chateauneufs blush with envy, it is an exceptional value you shouldn't miss. 

A wine to buy by the case! 

Once you try it, you will taste its quality-to-value ratio and understand why this was one of our top picks for the year.