Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005
Magnum
(Rhône, France)

Domaine Chante Cigale, located within the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape has been owned by the Sabon Favier family for several generations. Recently Christian Favier, the father, released the reins to his son Alexandre who is fast becoming a new rising star of Chateauneuf. Despite only being in his early 20's he has been lauded by notable journalists Steve Danzier in the US and Jancis Robinson,UK. The soils of the vineyard are made up of clay and chalk covered with a layer of the classic large pebbles ('galets') found in this area, which naturally keeps yields low. The vines are over 45 years old and situated near the plateau de Carbieres. Harvesting is by hand, with selective sorting of the grapes. The wine has lots of warm red fruit and damson aromas with cinnamon, spices and jam but also concentration on the palate, then liquoricey richness and elegance to finish. Try with lamb or lentil and vegetable moussaka and any rich hot-pot that heavily features 'herbes de Provence' or similar aromatic herbs