Domaine du Pégau & Château Pégau
By David Keck
There are very few estates in France, let alone Châteauneuf-du-Pape, that can claim the prestige and iconic stature of Domaine du Pégau. Currently it’s owned by the father-daughter team of Paul and Laurence Féraud, the most current ownership from a family that goes back to the mid-17th century! Despite the storied (and LONG) history of the family and estate, it really was in the 1980s that Paul and Laurence launched the family brand that would grow consistently though the past 30 years.
Previously sold in bulk to top négociants (very limited amounts being estate bottled as early as 1964, but remaining a tiny part of the business), by 1990, the estate fruit was being exclusively sold under their own label and continues that way. From 17 acres in 1987, the winery has grown to 52 acres under vine with a new winery and powerhouse team making wines in a traditional fashion that hasn’t changed much in the past 150 years.
The estate vineyards are in truly spectacular parcels of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CdP) and directly outside, including a parcel in the sandy Pignan lieu-dit (literally: named vineyard), Les Bosquets, and the amazing La Crau of Courthézon.
Château Pégau (yes, we know, this is confusing), is actually produced from an estate purchased in Sorgues, and is the source of some outstanding Côtes-du-Rhône. Got it? Château Pégau is for the Côtes-du-Rhône, NON-CdP wines, and the DOMAINE du Pégau is for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottlings. Phew.
A quick moment on Rhône wines—in the Southern Rhône the wines tend to be based on Grenache Noir, but in CdP they also allow another SEVENTEEN varieties (if you count all the colors of some of them… ie: Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, etc.). Like many, Pégau leans heavily on the power and beauty of their Grenache Noir, making up usually at least 70-80% of each blend.
AVAILABLE WINES:
Grenache Blend - Lot 14-15-16 - Vin de France - MV - 750mL
Grenache Blend - Cuvée Maclura - Côtes du Rhône - 2016 - 750mL
Grenache Blend - Cuvée Setier - Côtes du Rhône Villages - 2016 - 750mL
Grenache Blend - Cuvée Réservée - Châteauneuf du Pape - 2017 - 750mL
With the beautiful fall weather, pop a bottle of this delicious wine with slow-braised pork shoulder, beef stew, or rack of lamb. Also a lovely wine for Thanksgiving.