As we continued our trip through the Southern Rhône Valley we made a stop at one of our favorite producers of CDP (Châteauneuf du Pape), Chateau Cabrières. This estate, owned by the Arnaud family, goes back three generations, while parts of the château go back to the fifteenth century. Patrick Vernier took us for an extended tour of the winery and vineyards, made up of 30 hectares (about 75 acres) of over fifty year old vines, with some areas of hundred year old vines. Mr. Vernier’s tour of the winery was very interesting, telling us the history of the area and of his family.

After the tour we were taken to a large tasting room, which was then set for a great French country feast with plenty of bottles of the château’s wines. We started with a few bottles of the estate’s Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc, a blend of 30% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc, 30% Grenache Blanc and 10% Roussanne. Next we tried the 2009 and 2010 Cabrières Côtes du Rhône, a top notch CDR made up of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. As we approached the main course of French country grilled pork & sausages the many vintages of the château’s CDP’s began to appear in our glasses. Starting with a few newer vintages of CDP Tradition, we were treated to bottles of the 1979 Tradition, a wine that was nearly clear in color, but still full of life. We were also treated to a number of vintages of Cabrières Cuvée Prestige CDP, a wonderful wine that will certainly drink well for many more years to come.

  We left the estate full of a fantastic meal and the wonderful wines of Château Cabrières. Bravo to Patrick Vernier and his family on these wonderful wines…

Ken Amendola, Wine Supervisor, N. Florida

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