Old-Vine Grenache Magic – Solitude Cornelia Constanza Rouge Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

Tasting Notes

In the glass: deep ruby with violet edges — rich, but not heavy-handed.
On the nose: glowing with mulled red cherries, strawberry jam, wild lavender, garrigue herbs, licorice, and a hint of candied orange peel. 
On the palate: medium-to-full body, dominated by pure Grenache intensity from old-vines. The fruit is pure & ripe, but the sandy La Crau terroir gives it elegance, not over-ripeness. You’ll find ripe red fruits, cocoa, cardamom, Sichuan pepper, a subtly smoky tinge, and firm yet refined tannins. Finish is long, mineral-tinged, with a spine of iron. 
Drink window: Best from 2025 onward, with age potential into 2032-35+. 

Meet the Winemaker

Domaine de la Solitude sits on the legendary “La Crau” plateau of Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape, deploying ultra-old Grenache vines (planted early 20th century) on sandy “safres” soils. This cuvée, Cornelia Constanza, is made only in the “great years”, from a single parcel and vinified with minimal intervention to showcase terroir and age-worthiness.

Wine Specs

• Varietal: 100% Grenache noir (old vines)

• Vintage: 2020

• Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Southern Rhône, France. 

• Terroir / Vinification / Aging: Sandy “safres” soils of La Crau; grapes hand-selected; long maceration in whole-bunch, concrete and large oak; aged ~20+ months in 40% foudre + 35% concrete tanks. 

• ABV: ~15%

• Bottle Size: 1500 ml

• Serving Temp: 16-18 °C — decant for 1 hour if drinking early.

Critic Reviews

• James Suckling – 96 pts: “Enormous concentration with great tannin structure giving this extraordinary elegance… extremely long finish with a cascade of candied orange, licorice and mineral character.” 

• Jeb Dunnuck – 95 pts: “100% Grenache… big bouquet of mulled red cherry and strawberry fruits as well as sappy flowers and garrigue… medium-to-full-bodied richness… supple, pure, elegant” 

• Wine Spectator – 94 pts: “A seductive, polished red, with sappy cherry, black currant and warm licorice… upheld by a spine of iron… garrigue, black pepper and singed apple wood smoke accents.” 

Food Pairings

• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, garlic & black olive tapenade — power meets finesse.

• Wild boar ragù over fresh pappardelle — gamey, rich, structured.

• Aged Comté or Beaufort cheese with dried apricot & walnut — depth meets clarity.

• Duck breast with cherry reduction & thyme — red fruit and savoury interplay.

• Provençal herb-rubbed rib-eye with grilled fennel & fig compote — bold, nuanced, memorable.

Why You Need This Bottle

Because you’re tired of wines that say “great” but deliver “nice”. This is elite terroir (La Crau sand), old-vine Grenache, real critic hype (94-96 pts across major reviewers) and serious ageing potential. You’ll pull this when you want people to stop and notice—not just sip. It’s power with elegance. It’s Rhône with gravitas. It’s a flex, subtle and sharp.

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