Wines Châteauneuf-du-Pape Benedictus de Vatican - Réserve Sacrée - 2020

Benedictus de Vatican’s Cuvée Réserve Sacrée 2020 from the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation is an expressive and luscious red blend that highlights both tradition and richness. Composed typically of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre—hallmark grapes of the region—this cuvée reveals the intensity of the 2020 vintage, which benefited from an ideal balance of sunlight and rainfall. The wine is born from the legendary galets roulés (large pebbles) covering the vineyard floor, reflecting heat onto the grapes for optimal ripeness. Vinification here respects classic methods, with careful sorting, extended maceration, and aging in a combination of oak barrels and concrete, culminating in a wine renowned for its depth, spice, and silky tannins.

The southern Rhône Valley, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in particular, is celebrated for its unique terroir comprised of alluvial soils, red clay, and the emblematic round stones that store solar energy. The region’s warm Mediterranean climate ensures deep, concentrated flavors in the wines, while the Mistral winds help preserve freshness and prevent disease. Historically, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is at the heart of French wine culture, accredited with setting some of France’s earliest appellation regulations in the 1930s.

Pair this robust red with local specialties such as roasted lamb Provençal, duck confit, or a daube de boeuf, as the wine’s spicy, herbal, and dark fruit elements beautifully complement savory, slow-cooked dishes. It finds harmony as well with rustic ratatouille, wild mushroom risotto, or hard cheeses like aged Comté or Beaufort.

For optimal enjoyment, serve the Cuvée Réserve Sacrée at 16-18°C. Decanting for at least one hour will help the wine open up, delivering its full spectrum of blackcurrant, cherry, garrigue, and peppery notes. This wine promises rewarding evolution over the next decade for those who enjoy cellaring, but it is already very approachable with proper aeration.