One of the best value Rhône ’07 we will ship this year!
Château Mont-Redon is an estate of 330 acres, of which 200 are planted in vines. It is situated in the northwestern quadrant of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation on the high, stony plateau overlooking the Rhône River considered to be the finest microclimate of the region. Château Mont-Redon is the largest single-vineyard estate of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and one of only two in the entire appellation supporting plantings of all 13 grape varieties authorized under A.O.C. legislation regulating Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In addition to the principal estate, Mont-Redon also owns a 38-acre vineyard acquired at the beginning of the 1980s on the opposite bank of the Rhône at Roquemaure, under the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation.
Mont-Redon's extraordinary situation, at an altitude of 360 feet on Châteauneuf-du-Pape's highest elevation, is one of very few to include all three soils types found in the appellation. On the plateau's summit, covering approximately 150 acres, are the classic alpine diluvium soils consisting of a deep layer of large, round stones over a clay subsoil which draw the vine roots far into the earth to find a source of water. The stones also act as a natural incubator, absorbing the intense Mediterranean sun during the day and radiating heat at night into the grapes.
Planted in Grenache and Syrah, these soils lend structure and backbone to the fruit. At the foot of the plateau, sheltered sandy soils support the Mourvèdre and Cinsault vines, which in this environment develop richness and intense aromatic qualities. The plateau's slopes are composed of limestone pebbles which lend finesse and fruitiness to the white Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Roussane and Picpoul vines in which they are planted. The Côtes-du-Rhône vineyard, also lying on Urgonian limestone, is planted principally in Grenache with smaller proportions of Cinsault and Syrah. The vines of the Châteauneuf estate average 45 years of age, and replanting of new vines takes place amidst the older vines in order to moderate the former's growth and productivity. Careful maintenance of the vineyard age has resulted in a long-term average yield of only 30 hectolitres per hectare (135 cases per acre).