Roger Sabon

Wines from Domaine Roger Sabon: buy at the best price

Domaine Roger Sabon is one of the great family estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, heir to vines that the family has been cultivating since 1560. Founded in 1952, it now farms around fifty hectares spread across both banks of the Rhône: eighteen hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the left bank, divided into fourteen plots with very diverse terroirs, and thirty-two hectares on the right bank, in Lirac, Côtes du Rhône and Vin de France. Under the direction of Didier Négron, the estate ranks among the handful of most consistently acclaimed producers in the southern Rhône Valley. Its soils, rich in sand and limestone, yield Châteauneufs that are more ethereal and more delicate than average, while ageing in large oak barrels and wooden vats — never new — preserves the purity of the fruit. 

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Roger Sabon Châteauneuf du Pape Prestige 2018
0 in stock
129799
Red
75cl
96/100
94/100
15.5/100
Out of stock
Rhône | Châteauneuf du Pape

Roger Sabon Châteauneuf du Pape Prestige 2018

€48.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€40.00 ex-VAT

History of Domaine Roger Sabon

The Sabon family's history in Châteauneuf-du-Pape dates back to 1560, the earliest documented date of the family's vines. At the beginning of the 20th century, the property was run by Séraphin Sabon, whose three sons would each leave their mark on the appellation in their own way: Joseph founded Clos du Mont-Olivet, Noël created Domaine Chante Cigale, and Roger gave his name to the domaine that concerns us here. It was in 1952 that Roger Sabon officially established his domaine from the family vines.

In 1976, he passed responsibility for the estate to his three sons, Gilbert, Jean-Jacques and Denis. Under their leadership, the domaine took shape, expanded to the right bank of the Rhône with the Chapelle de Maillac property, and built an international reputation. Today, the family remains at the heart of operations: Delphine, Denis's daughter, heads the commercial side, while her brother Julien works alongside their father in the vineyard. Winemaking is entrusted to Didier Négron, Jean-Jacques's son-in-law, who passed through other prestigious estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape before joining the house. His adjustments in the cellar have amplified the airy, delicate character that the domaine's sandy and calcareous terroir naturally called for, to the point that critics feel the wines have never been more compelling. 

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Roger Sabon

The domaine's strength lies in the diversity of its plots. The eighteen hectares of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are spread across fourteen parcels with very different geological profiles, which allows for the crafting of cuvées with distinctly individual personalities. To the north-west of the appellation, the lieux-dits Pradel and Les Devès d'Estouard rest on sandy-calcareous and stony soils at around fifty metres of altitude. La Crau Ouest and La Grenade offer a mixture of small pebbles, sand, clay and limestone. Finally, two plots located near Courthézon are home to the oldest vines on the property, which surpass a century in age.

The high proportion of sand and limestone explains the house style, more slender and more perfumed than the appellation average. Black Grenache dominates the blend at around 70%, bringing warmth and generosity, accompanied by Syrah and Mourvèdre for structure and spice. The domaine also cultivates Cinsault, Terret Noir, Counoise, Vaccarèse and Muscardin, as well as Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc and white Grenache for the whites. Certain plots of Syrah planted on limestone reach around sixty years of age and constitute a key element of the Cuvée Prestige. Harvests are entirely manual, with picking triggered at the optimal moment of ripeness and sustainable viticulture respectful of the soils. On the right bank, the twenty-eight hectares of Chapelle de Maillac complete the palette with the terroirs of Lirac and the Côtes du Rhône.

Winemaking at Domaine Roger Sabon

Roger Sabon remains a traditionalist at heart, with delicate touches of modernity that never compromise the expression of the terroir. The grapes are sorted and destemmed, then fermented in concrete vats, sometimes in stainless steel depending on the cuvée. Macerations are long, up to thirty days, with daily rack-and-return rather than punch-downs: this method allows for fine extraction of colour and tannins without ever brutalising the material.

Ageing then takes place in large oak barrels, truncated conical wooden vats and demi-muids, for periods of twelve to eighteen months depending on the wine. No new wood is used for the reds, which ensures a gentle maturation without any significant oak influence, preserving the purity and freshness of the cuvées. Only the white Renaissance is an exception, with its fermentation and ageing in a new 2,500-litre oak barrel that brings it an extra touch of complexity. This approach yields balanced, silky and fleshy wines, capable of seducing from their youth while evolving gracefully over two decades.

The cuvées of Domaine Roger Sabon

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets: the domaine's entry-level cuvée, first produced in 1955, and often cited as one of the best value wines in the appellation. A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault from vines over fifty years old planted on the lieux-dits Pradel and Les Devès d'Estouard, on sandy-calcareous and stony soils. Destemmed harvest, thirty-day maceration with daily rack-and-return, then twelve to eighteen months of ageing between large oak barrels and vats. Brilliant ruby colour, juicy ripe black cherry fruit and perfectly ripe tannins. Approximately 2,500 cases per vintage.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée: sourced from the domaine's historic plots on La Crau Ouest and La Grenade, with vines of at least sixty-five years. The blend comprises 70 to 80% Grenache, complemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Vinification in concrete vats followed by twelve to sixteen months of ageing in large oak barrels and wooden vats. A classic and thoroughbred Châteauneuf, with candied red fruits, garrigue and soft spices, with an elegant texture. Approximately 1,400 cases produced each year.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Prestige: often described as the house's best value for money, it is based on approximately 70% old Grenache close to a century old, 20% sixty-year-old Syrah planted on limestone and 5% Mourvèdre, complemented by a touch of the other permitted varieties. Aged in large oak barrels, wooden vats and demi-muids, it unfolds a sumptuous nose of black strawberry, almost blueberry-like fruits, spring flowers, ground pepper, Provençal spices and leather. A full, deep and concentrated palate, with velvety tannins and a silky, polished style, with a long and persistent finish.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon: one of the absolute stars of the appellation, produced only in certain vintages and in quantities of around one hundred cases only. The first vintage dates back to 1990, but it was the 1998 that was truly commercialised. It comes from a field blend dominated by approximately 95% Grenache, from two plots of century-old vines planted in sandy soils near Courthézon, with derisory yields. Ageing takes place entirely in truncated conical wooden vats. An immense nose of blackcurrant, melted liquorice, graphite, garrigue and pepper, a palate of rare opulence with soft and decadent tannins, and an interminable finish. A wine to wait four or five years and to keep for twenty-five years or more. The family remains deliberately discreet about its elaboration, which only adds to the legend.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance Blanc: the domaine's white wine, produced in small quantities from Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc and white Grenache. Fermented and aged in a new 2,500-litre oak barrel that lends it a touch of complexity without marking the wine, it combines roundness, white fruits, floral notes and a lovely freshness on the finish.

Lirac Rouge: sourced from vines on the right bank of the Rhône, this Lirac is a creamy and generous wine, lifted by a silky spice. Black fruits, garrigue and melted tannins for a bottle that offers a great deal of immediate pleasure at a very reasonable price.

Lirac Chapelle de Maillac: the cuvée that bears the name of the family property on the right bank, more ambitious and more structured. It combines the concentration of the area's old vines with the characteristic freshness of the Lirac terroirs.

Tavel Rosé: a gastronomic rosé with an intensely pink colour, flavourful, vibrant and built for the table, in the purest style of this appellation exclusively dedicated to rosé, right across from Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Côtes du Rhône: a straightforward and fruity red, ready to drink upon release or to keep for a few years. Dominated by Grenache, it carries the house's aromatic signature well, between ripe fruit and garrigue notes.

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