Domaine de la Solitude "La Solitude" Rouge, Rhône Valley, France 2024

FROM SHIVERIK IMPORTS:

THE WINE: 45% Grenache Noir, 45% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre.

THE PRODUCER: Châteauneuf-du-Pape translates to “new house of the Pope” and refers to the relocation of the papal court to Avignon in the 14th century. Many Italian nobles moved to the area as well, and, thus the Lançon family members (owners of Domaine de la Solitude) are direct descendants of the Barberini family of Rome, still a prominent family in Italy to this day – among their ancestors number Pope Urban VIII and two cardinals. Generations of winemakers at Domaine de la Solitude have worked hard to consistently preserve the high quality of their wines. This is a family steeped in the history of the region and of France. On the label, their family crest of three bees, dates to the middle ages. Since the Renaissance, through the French Revolution and into modern times, the family has played a part in the narrative that has been written about Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

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.