Chapelle St. Theodoric is a project between winemaker Baptiste Grangeon from Domaine de Cristia and Peter Weygandt, importer in the USA, with an objective to show beautiful terroir expressions. The 2009 vintage marked its debut with rapid acclaim.

There are two parcels; one in the lieu-dit La Guigasse, which is a pure sand soil and where the vines (all Grenache) range in age of from 50 to 100 year; and the other parcel at the top of Pignan, literally adjoining the vines of Chateau Rayas, also in pure sand and also pure, old vines Grenache.

The vinification is traditional, that is to say, whole-cluster, such as employed by Jacques Reynaud at Chateau Rayas, Laurent Charvin, Henri Bonneau. The two parcels are vinified and aged and bottled separately, but with the exact same treatment, the experiment being to find what terroir differences one might find in pure sand, between vines less than 200 meters apart, both on sand, pure Grenache and traditional vinification.

The result has been a most exciting and successful experiment: The difference between the wines from these two parcels is clear and distinct. La Guigasse is the slightly richer of the two. The Grand Pin, perhaps because the sand is nearly pure white, perhaps the higher elevation or due to some other factor we have not yet determined, makes a wine that is lower in alcohol, more perfumed and finer.

Traditional whole-cluster vilification, indigenous yeast fermentation. Harvested late, well into October.

Varietal – 100% Grenache

Soil – Sandy soils

Age of wines – 50-100 years old

Ageing – in varying ages of barrels, demi-muids

Limpid ruby-red. Highly expressive, mineral-accented aromas of raspberry, cherry and incense slowly pick up a suave floral element. Juicy and precise in the mouth, offering intense red fruit liqueur and lavender pastille flavors that flesh out and become spicier in the midpalate. Shows outstanding focus and zesty mineral bite on a long, penetrating finish that features silky tannins and a sexy floral note.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 97 points

From 75-year-old Grenache grown in sandy soils, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape La Guigasse was fermented as whole clusters and will spend two whole years in older demi-muids. On the nose, intriguing spice, herbal and savory notes provide a compelling counterpoint to the cherry and raspberry fruit, while the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated and rather sappy, finishing bright, fresh and long.

Decanter – 95 points

Wow!’ was my reaction. Simply gorgeous aromatics, pulling in garrigue herbs, blood orange, redcurrant, liquorice and pine resin. Light in tannin, but a lovely sense of freshness, good acidity and a lovely detailed finish. Tannins are fine and slight. A compelling, Burgundian Grenache. This is pure whole-bunch Grenache grown on sand at the lieu-dit La Guigasse, aged for 24 months in demi-muid. 4,800 bottles made.

Jeb Dunnuck – 93 points

Black raspberries, mulled cherries, savory herbs, and some meaty nuances all emerge from the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Guigasse, a nicely balanced, medium-bodied, elegant Grenache from this team that has ripe tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It’s another Burgundian, incredibly successful wine in this challenging vintage.