St. Préfert : a new Star in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Chateauneuf, This is of course institutions like Rayas, Beaucastel or the Clos des Papes. But it is also a name that moves and renewed. The recent resumption of field St. Préfert by Isabel Ferrando is a good example.

The history of St. Préfert begins with the family when in Serre 1920, a great wine connoisseur, Fernand Serre, pharmacist in Avignon, discovers that a district Chateauneuf bears his name : the district of Serres. Lover of fine wines and apothecary, near it acquires 80 hectares in the district of the southern slope of the village. His secret desire : become winemaker. He built a winery and a house in the center of vines and soon learns the methods of winemaking. The Domain St. Préfert was born. Excellent winemaker, Fernand Serre was a pioneer in the events that built the reputation of the appellation 1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. St. Préfert was one of the first areas of Chateauneuf marketing its wine bottles from 1930 and conquer distant markets.

If the history of St. Préfert begins with that of Fernand Serre, legend is born 2002 Isabel Ferrando, a native banker in the region, converted into the profession of winemaker. At that time, she bought the 13 remaining acres of the original property and rolls up his sleeves. The rest is history, a success because since its first vintage in 2003, his wines continue to see their ratings go up. For 2004, it acquires 2 hectares to its name, on sandier soils, the Estate Colombis. And two years ago, a plot of 1,5 ha, “Cristia” complements both fields.

Mediterranean heart and blood, Isabel ensures the tradition surrounding himself with the best techniques winemaking, to perpetuate the expertise and reputation of the origins of the field, while being anchored in modernity. It is thus recommended by the inevitable oenologist Philippe Cambie, leading figure of Rhône Valley South. The local of Saint Préfert extends on the left bank of Rhône Valley, between Orange and Avignon, around a building from the thirties and his cellar. Its 13 hectares are very characteristic of the appellation, made of pebbles and gravel filter. In summer, the sun floods the soil generously restores its heat throughout the night ; this alternating heat that occurs in the vineyards explains the depth of wines. Also the Mistral, at the top of its stroke at this point in the Valley Rhône Valley, dry and cleans the vine. It is through this microclimate and low rainfall that the wines here are at their optimum, but not limited. The local, exceptional, also has a role to play. The old vines domain (aged 60 years on average) occur in very small quantities : the average yield is 20 hl / ha and the highly concentrated juice of grapes. So, Bays Grenache, of Syrah, of Mourvedre and Cinsault are dense and sips of sugar ; they are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. The estate wines that express pleasure, This spicy sweetness. Otherwise, in respect of a healthy environment, the field of St. Préfert preserves the vine by promoting the development of "natural defenses" of vineyard. The grapes are vinified in concrete vats and macerated for weeks so that each vine reveals its own flavor. Then the wines are aged 18 months in oak barrels and half barrels in natural cellar dug under the house. Thus are born the four major reserves St. Préfert.

Discover the wines of the area St. Préfert currently for sale on iDealwine.

Drink up 2017	Domaine de Saint-Préfert  1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 – Red
	16/20 RVF  90-92/100 IWC Stephen Tanzer 88-90/100 Robert Parker 15/20 Bettane & Desseauve	property prices  20.00€ TTC The bottle – 75cl
	A delicate wine, elegant and remains fresh in the mouth and easy to drink. Pour viandes rouges grillées  or poultry (duck, pigeon)

Drink up 2020	Domaine de Saint-Préfert  Chateauneuf-du-Pape 'Reserve Auguste Favier " 2009 – Red
	16/20 Bettane & Desseauve 16,5/20 RVF 92-94/100 IWC Stephen Tanzer 91-93/100 Robert Parker	property prices  30.00€ TTC The Magnum – 150cl
	A beautiful bottle combines power and elegance marvelously. A wine of game birds or fungi

Drink up 2016	Domaine de Saint-Préfert  1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2008 – Red
	90/100 Wine Spectator  89/100 IWC Stephen Tanzer 88/100 Robert Parker 16/20 Jancis Robinson 14,5/20 Bettane & Desseauve	property prices  38.00€ TTC The bottle – 75cl
	A pretty fine material and elegant, almost Burgundian. Idéal pour toutes les viandes blanches  or roast chicken

Drink up 2020	Domaine de Saint-Préfert  Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Collection Charles Giraud" 2009 – Red
	18/20 RVF  17/20 Bettane & Desseauve 93-95/100 IWC Stephen Tanzer 92-94/100 Robert Parker	property prices  48.00€ TTC The bottle – 75cl
	A rich wine, wide, voluptuous, already delicious. A marriage with meat sauce, poultry tasty, dishes with mushrooms