9/12/2009

Domaine Chante Cigale, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2008 Wins Rhône Regional Trophy Decanter Magazine October 2009

The Rhône panel at the Decanter World Wine Awards is known for its economy on Gold medals – fewer than 10 have been awarded in the past five years. So for one man to have won two Trophies in that time is a huge achievement. Meet Alexandre Favier, still just 27 years old. In 2006 it was with his late-developing 2003 estate red; this year it was with his delightful 2008 estate white. The boy’s got talent!

White Châteauneuf-du-Pape can be made for an unleashed aperitif, or for very long keeping. In the latter camp fall wines such as Clos des Papes, Château de Beaucastel, Château Rayas - all wines of great character and complexity that live well over 20 years, traversing moments of abundance and reticence on their journey.

Favier likes to drink his white wine young, as an aperitif, or with food: shellfish, seabass in a tomato or mushroom sauce, or goats cheese.

His first task every year is to finesse the picking of his four grapes that grow in different areas of Châteauneuf: in 2008 there was a three-week interval between the first picking of the Roussanne and Grenache Blanc and the last picking of the Bourboulenc; the Clairette coming in the middle.

He ages his wine in vat for five months, and blocks the malolactic fermentation for freshness. ‘You had to work harder than usual in the vineyards in 2008 if you wanted a good level of quality,’ he remarks. He clearly did.