Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvée des Célestins 2005

Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvée des Célestins is the domaine's flagship, a Grenache-led Châteauneuf from the La Crau plateau that spends years in old wood before it is released.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape sits on the left bank of the Rhône north of Avignon, and Henri Bonneau's holdings are concentrated on La Crau, the galet-strewn plateau east of the village that gives the appellation its most structured Grenache. The domaine farms barely six hectares and everything happens in a cramped cellar beneath the village rather than a purpose-built winery. Fruit is only partly destemmed, fermented with ambient yeast in old concrete and wood, then left in a jumble of old foudres and demi-muids for as long as six or seven years while the family taste through the cellar and decide which barrels become which cuvée. Réserve des Célestins is the selection made only in years judged worthy of it, and volumes are tiny.

A mature, tertiary and deeply savoury style for braised beef, hare or aged hard cheese; decant carefully off any sediment and serve at around 17 degrees.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.