The Producer
L'Oratoire des Papes, in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, finds its origins in 1880, when Léonce Amouroux inherited a plot of vines on which there is an oratory dedicated to Saint Mark, the patron saint of the winemakers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This place inspires the name of the house. Since 1926, its Art Deco labels have also contributed to its visual identity and heritage. Even today, L'Oratoire des Papes claims this alliance between tradition, heritage, and contemporary perspective.
The estate is part of the diversity of the terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which the house interprets through four main families of soils: limestone shards, rolled pebbles, safres, and red sandstones. This geological mosaic constitutes one of the foundations of the style of the wines of L'Oratoire des Papes, each terroir bringing its own expression. For its cuvées, the house thus seeks to restore the richness and nuances of the appellation, particularly through parcel selections.
Today, L’Oratoire des Papes continues a contemporary interpretation of the appellation, with the desire to express its different terroirs as purely as possible. Under the technical direction of Édouard Guérin, the work in the vineyard and cellar aims to produce wines that are both deep, lively, and vibrant, combining power, freshness, finesse, and elegance. The estate also has an ancient priory, in the heart of a protected natural area, which houses its winemaking and aging cellars as well as spaces dedicated to welcoming and tasting.
The Wine
Long maceration, aging for one year in 30-year-old oak casks
Tasting
2016 is a fabulous vintage! And while some compare it to the magnificent 2010, others do not hesitate to go back to the famous 1990... In any case, we are undeniably in the realm of very great vintages.