2022 Domaine Santa Duc, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Le Pied de Baud

Domaine Santa Duc, a family-run estate with roots in the Southern Rhône dating back to 1874, manages its holdings in Châteauneuf-du-Pape through certified biodynamic farming practices. This wine is made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Cinsault sourced from one hectare of 90-year-old vines rooted in a matrix of sandy clay and pebbles on the Plateau des Brusquières. In the glass, it displays aromatic notes of dark cherries, licorice, and fresh thyme, with a medium-to-full-bodied texture defined by layered fruit and fine, precise tannins. The 2022 vintage was shaped by a hot, dry summer that resulted in small, concentrated berries, giving the wine a vibrant, juicy character. With its inherent balance and energy, this bottle is accessible now but possesses the structure to evolve over the next two decades.