“This Domaine is on fire, with every cuvée different yet worthy of serious attention.” - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Two weeks of no Châteauneuf offers? We wouldn’t do that to you! Good thing good things come in 3s. Introducing a Wine Spies Exclusive: Domaine des 3 Cellier. 94 POINTS and a hair under 50% OFF.

A relative newcomer to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape scene to the oldest appellation in France, 3 Cellier is named after the synergy between the brothers Cellier. The eldest Ludovic is the winemaker, Julien leads the viticulture, and Benoit focuses on marketing and sales. You can literally taste the harmony in their pristine, focused, and pure wines.

While they started the label in 2007, their lineage farming in Châteauneuf goes back to 1650. Wine is in their DNA. They became Certified Organic in 2016 and are amongst the greenest producers in the region.

The magic here comes from Mourvèdre which dominates the blend. It’s a rare approach in this region yet per The Oxford Companion to Wine “Mourvèdre is now an increasingly important ingredient in reds made around Châteauneuf-du-Pape, adding considerable flesh to the blend… the most famous supporters of Mourvèdre in the Rhône Valley are the Perrins of Château de Beaucastel, who use an average of 30% in their regular Châteauneuf-du-Pape.” And Wine Spectator adds: “While other domaines emphasize Grenache, Beaucastel leans more heavily on the late-ripening Mourvèdre; the grape once struggled to achieve ripeness in the region but has become more important due to climate change in recent years in creating balanced wines with lower alcohol levels.”

The vineyard for this cuvée (one of 4 reds and 1 white they make) is a small plot in Terres Blanches, a highly sought-after sector of Châteauneuf-du-Pape rich in limestone, yielding wines that are lithe and bright, a huge asset for Mourvèdre that can lean towards rusticity in richer soils. The balance between fruit, spice, and earth in this wine is a true testament to how well the brothers collaborate.

Too bad they make so little… what we got may not be enough to last the day.

94 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Marceau features a hefty 50% Mourvèdre, blended with 30% Grenache and 10% each Counoise and Vaccarèse. It’s got a peppery lift to its aromas of black cherries, black raspberries and hint of garrigue, while the full-bodied palate is ripe and supple, with soft, dusty tannins on the lingering finish. Despite maturation in 45% new barriques (the balance is aged in foudres), the wood has been completely absorbed. Drink 2022-2035.”