In the 1980s, brothers Michel and Jean Lançon took the future of Domaine de la Solitude in their hands, focusing attention on the vineyards. Fertilizers have not been used at Solitude for the past ten years. Over the past several years, Michel’s son Florent Lançon has been taking over the day-to-day operations of Domaine de la Solitude, continuing to make improvements while preserving the traditions of his father and uncle. The Estate is a contiguous 100 acres, planted to 86 acres of red grapes and 14.8 acres of white grapes, with vines averaging 50 years of age.

Driven by the desire to produce the best possible wines while still respecting the traditions of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and their lineage, in 1999, Michel and Jean decided to introduce four prestige cuvées and added Cuvée Barberini Rouge, Cuvée Barberini Blanc, Réserve Secrète, and Cornelia Constanza to the winery’s production.

Châteaunuef-de-Pape

Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called “galets” in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.

According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.

Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.

The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as “the pope’s new castle,” didn’t really stick until the 19th century.

Anyone who has spent time in the vineyards of France has no doubt encountered the concept of lutte raisonnée, (literally “reasoned fight”) which effectively means “I’m not certified organic/biodynamic, and don’t intend to be because I’d prefer to use chemicals where and when I see fit, but sparingly, so I can respect the environment.”

Talking with some vintners, it’s clear that some of them really are essentially organic, and simply want the ability to attack a mildew infestation with something that doesn’t have a lot of copper in it (copper sulfate being seemingly the most hated organic fungicide thanks to long-term copper buildup in the soils).

But I’ve met my share of vintners whose use of the term seems more of an attempt to have their cake and eat it too — getting credit for being “sustainable” while not changing much of their standard viticulture regimen.

Cote du Rhone Rosé, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2022

This wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. They choose the coolest terroirs for this Rosé. The grapes are picked at night. They are destemmed and pressed straight after the harvest, and then aged on fine lees. The wine is a lovely pale pink color, with a floral nose and a tender freshness on the palate that combines vivacity and roundness. Blend: 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Syrah

Full-bodied and flavorful, white Rhône blends originate from France’s Rhône Valley. Today these blends are also becoming popular in other regions. Typically some combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier form the basis of a white Rhône blend with varying degrees of flexibility depending on the exact appellation. Somm Secret—In the Northern Rhône, blends of Marsanne and Roussanne are common but the south retains more variety. Marsanne, Roussanne as well as Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picpoul and Ugni Blanc are typical.

Châteaunuef-de-Pape “Vin de la Solitude Blanc”, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2022

 “I loved the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vin De La Solitude Blanc, an exotic, floral white based on 30% Clairette, 20% each Roussanne and Grenache Blanc, and the rest Clairette Rose, Picpoul, and Bourboulenc. Ripe melon, honeyed orange, toasted bread, and minty herbs all emerge from this complex, nuanced, medium-bodied beauty, and it has good depth and richness, a great sense of freshness, and outstanding length. – Jeb Dunnuck 

Châteaunuef-de-Pape “Blanc”, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2022

A ripe, modern version, with attractive stone fruit, yellow apple and citrus lacquered in flattering spice and toasty cedar notes. Succulent acidity and crushed flint bring good balance, while a thread of smoke and chamomile adds nice complexity.

Intense and shapely, showing plenty of pear and floral notes. Full-bodied, regal and impressive, with a generous mouthfeel and a long finish. A lot of wine for the money, in an oaked style, but not excessively so. Matured 30% in concrete tank, 30% foudres and 40% barriques for 10 months. 

Côtes-du- Rhône, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2021

A seductive nose of dark berries, dark cherries, dried thyme, smoke, and some fresh peppercorns. Medium body with fine tannins. Velvety textured and layered. Vivid with bright dark berries on the palate and a juicy, peppery finish. 50% grenache, 40% syrah and 10% mourvedre. 

Châteaunuef-de-Pape “Rouge”, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2021

A stunning Chateauneuf with stacks of ripe blackberry fruit, generous body and concentrated fine tannins. Together with the pronounced minerality, they give this a stunning velvety texture right through the remarkably long intense finish for the challenging 2021 vintage. From field blend vineyards growing on 50% galet cobblestone soil and 50% sandy soil. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Counoise, 5% Cinsault, Terret Noir, Muscardin & Vaccarèse                                    

Châteaunuef-de-Pape “Vin de la Solitude Rouge”, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2021

This vintage is a tribute to our ancestor Paul Martin, who was one of the first French winegrowers to sell his wine in bottles in the 18th century under the name “Vin de la Solitude”. It is made according to the winemaking art of the time, with very different blends, where Grenache is not dominant. The wine is made up of a large number of co-fermented grape varieties with much longer macerations than those carried out today. We have reissued the four original labels of “Vin de la Solitude” for this vintage. 30% Counoise, 25% hundred year-old Grenache noir, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 5% Roussanne, Clairette rose, Grenache blanc.

Châteaunuef-de-Pape “Cornelia Constanza Rouge”, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2021

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cornelia Constanza (100% Grenache) is another singular expression of this incredible variety that shines on all accounts. Giving up a big bouquet of mulled red cherry and strawberry fruits as well as sappy flowers and garrigue, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a supple, pure, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and one heck of a great finish. Coming from more sandy soils, it shines for its finesse and elegance and is already hard to resist. It will keep for at least 10-12 years, and probably longer. 

Châteaunuef-de-Pape “Barberini Rouge”, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2020

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Barberini is a more modern styled effort based on 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 15% Syrah that’s brought up in new barrels and concrete tanks. Its deeper ruby/plum color is followed by a great nose of both red and black fruits as well as chocolate, ground pepper, and spicy, meaty nuances. Playing in the supple, forward style of the vintage, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Despite a kiss of barrique on the nose, this is pure Provençal goodness.

Châteaunuef-de-Pape “Reserve Secrete Rouge”, Domaine de la Solitude, Southern Rhône Valley, France, 2020

Here’s a giant Chateauneuf that miraculously manages to remain vibrant and uplifting in spite of the enormous concentration and giant tannin structure. Just beginning to really open up, but it already has breathtaking aromas of savory, camphor, pine cones and wild blackberries. The finish goes on for minutes. A cuvee of century old vines of Grenache (65%) and Syrah (35%) from vineyards on sandy soil. Aged for 18 months in barrel, then aged for another year in foudre. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.