Domaine de Cristia was established in 1942, with only two hectares of vines; at that time, all grapes were sold to négociants. When Baptiste Grangeon inherited the vineyards from his father in 1999, he was the first to bottle as Domaine de Cristia. Today, Baptiste manages the winery with his sister, Dominique, and they have gradually added vineyards over the years, to a total of 20 hectares of vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Ninety percent of their holdings are in the lieu-dit Cristia, with the remaining ten percent spread over three different areas. These parcels are comprised of varying soil-types, including sand, clay, limestone, and galets, and benefit from a cool, fresh north-easterly exposition which allows the grapes and wines to develop supple, elegant tannins. Their Syrah and Mourvèdre vines average 55 years old and the oldest Grenache is over 100 years old.

The domaine follows organic agriculture for all work in the vineyards and has been certified from the 2008 vintage. No chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides are used to treat the soils or the vines. Ploughing and weeding are practiced according to the blocks and the yields desired. Vines are treated with copper sulphate and sulphur occasionally blended with a nettle infusion/tea (four to five times a year). Only organic fertilizer (i.e., sheep manure) is used. All of their wines are noteworthy for their finesse and elegance.

The grapes are selected in the vineyard and then destemmed before being put into vats. Three weeks of fermentation and maceration in concrete vats follow, with the use of indigenous yeasts. Temperatures are kept low in order to produce aromatic wines. They do not insist on any massive extraction, but prefer the ‘matière’ to express itself. Due to the work in the vineyards, the grapes possess enough concentration. The pressed juice and free-run juice are blended together according to the vintage.

Varietal -60% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre

Soil – Sandy clay soil facing East which ensures freshness

Age of wines – Grenache: 110 years old / Mourvèdre : 55 years old

Ageing – 24 months in barrels

Dark intense violet coulouring denoting a rich and generous body. Complex bouquet of roasted coffee, liquorice, cherry and hints of leather. Powerful straightforward taste in the mouth with dark fruit (blackcurrant), spicy (black pepper) and zan aromas.

Ideal drinking time: 8 years / Keeping capacity: 20-25 years

Jeb Dunnuck – 94-96 points

Also not yet bottled, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre that’s from the southern portions of the Cristia lieu-dit and the Font du Loup lieu-dit, both being sandy soils. It has a slightly modern vibe due to the new oak but boasts classic Provençal notes of gamey meats, ground pepper, garrigue, and woodsmoke. Pure, full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it’s going to offer pleasure in its youth but warrants 2-4 years of bottle age. It will keep for two decades.
Barrel Sample: 94-96

Wine Spectator – 93 points

A sultry, extroverted style, oozing raspberry coulis and smoked red currant flavors set against cigar box and iron underpinnings. This has a suave texture, with plenty of decadence reined in by the fine tannins and notes of wet earth and singed garrigue. Drinking beautifully now, this will also hold up very well in the cellar.

James Suckling – 91 points

There’s so much tar character in the nose it smells like the freeway is melting. However, the expansive palate is properly dry and rather fresh. Crisp finish. A cuvee of 60% grenache and 40% mourvedre. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 91 points

A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre aged in one-third new barrels (the rest went into demi-muids), Cristia’s 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance features intriguing aromas of cedar, ripe cherries, toasted coconut and stone fruit. It’s full-bodied, supple and easy to drink, but if you prefer a less oaky version of CdP, opt for the regular cuvée.