Sellout Alert! That Gigondas did not last, you lot know a great deal when you see one.

Let’s stay in the Southern Rhône for this still youthful day with an equally irresistible CdP next, shall we?

Long term operatives will remember this BEAST of a Châteauneuf from Cristia. It has been a long four-year-and-five-months since we’ve been able to offer it. The wait for the untamed richness of black fruits, opulent body, lush tannins, and complex garrigue and spice notes is finally over. At long last we can stop counting the days!

From the coveted eastern sandy soils of the appellation (not far from Chateau Rayas), this is a rare 97-point beauty (with double 96s to back it up!) that is sure to please not just Rhone lovers, but any fan of big, full-throttle reds. The Domaine’s 90-115-year-old vines yield gives this wine immense concentration.

It is not a wine for the faint of heart. It is a sumo wrestler, yet somehow performs with utter grace and sophistication despite its sheer immensity…

Wine Advocate raves “One of the superb newer producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine de Cristia has come on like gangbusters over the last decade, since proprietors Alain and Baptiste Grangeon took over from his father in 1999 and have re-written this estate’s book on quality in a short period of time. All of Cristia’s vineyards are in the northeast sector of the appellation, not far from the Rayas vineyard.” and Jeb Dunnuck echoes; “Winemaker Baptiste Grangeon has been on a roll over the past decade with these wines from his family estate. These are ripe, powerful wines that never lose their Southern Rhône soul.” In his 97-point review he calls out how this vintage is “unabashedly ripe, sexy, and exuberant,” and praises its “capacity to evolve for a solid 15-20 years.”

Objectively, this wine is a steal. In his article praising Domaine de Cristia, New York Times columnist Eric Asimov notes how (even) at full-price, as a top wine of the region, it’s “considerably less than you would pay for a top Hermitage or Côte-Rôtie from the northern Rhône, to say nothing of a leading Bordeaux, Burgundy or Champagne.”

And today? Dollar for dollar, thanks to our massive discount rarely seen on 97-point cult CdPs, you would be hard-pressed to find a purer, more intense luxury cuvée from these parts.

The only problem? Only two barrels’ worth made it to the United States?! Hurry! Add this beauty to your stash of cherished bottles. We don’t want you to miss out on this vintage rarity.

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “This was another beautiful lineup from winemaker Baptiste Grangeon, who fashions a bevy of singular Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Cristia lieu-dit located in the heart of the appellation and more sandy soils. The Vieilles Vignes is all Grenache from very old vines and is brought up in tank and used barrels (it saw some new oak in the past). This is a Grenache lover’s dream and is unabashedly ripe, sexy, and exuberant. I’m just now finishing a case of the 2005, which is still going strong, so it has the capacity to evolve for a solid 15-20 years. The 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (100% Grenache) brings more opulence and sexiness, with a more unevolved vibe in its ripe black fruits, violets, toasted spice, and Provençal garrigue-like aromas and flavors. Brought up in equal parts used barrels, new French oak, and demi-muids, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, incredibly elegant texture, ripe tannins, and one hell of a great finish. This is a Grenache lover’s dream, and it should continue drinking brilliantly for another 10-15 years. Drink 2021-2036.”

96 Points – Wine Spectator “A strapping young wine, brimming with dark plum paste and boysenberry compote flavors that are carried by racy licorice snap and fruitcake notes. The lively back end shows a hint of bramble and a touch of tar, giving this energy and power as it courses through the finish. 300 cases made, 50 cases imported. Best from 2023 through 2038.”

96 Points – Falstaff “Dark ruby, purple reflections, broad ochre brightening on the rim. Delicate bourbon vanilla, sweet black cherries, wild dark berries, nuances of herbs, mineral touch. Juicy, elegant, fruity, fine, developed tannins, mineral-salty finish, ageing potential for many years.”