By Domaine Clef de Saint Thomas
Pierre Troupel Rouge 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape

History
In 2006, Philippe Kessler, building on the experience gained with Chateau Calissanne, bought the estate becoming Domaine Clef de St Thomas. Henceforth, his wife Sophie Kessler-Matiere runs the estate. This wine is a tribute to Sophie's grandfather. Pierre Troupel had bright blue eyes and was making French Cheese "Bleu d'Auvergne."

Terroir
Domaine Clef de St Thomas, 11 hectares, is composed of several plots, planted in the north and the south of Chateauneuf-du-Pape village. This wine comes from the Charbonnieres plot.

Winemaking
The grapes are hand-picked from mid-September in crates and fermented with an entire destemming. Fermentation takes place at 25 degrees C. The wine is traditionally aged in a stainless-steel tank.

Tasting Notes
The color is garnet. The nose is of forest red fruits (blackberries, raspberries, and black cherries), moving to spices with aeration. The mouth is fleshy, mature, and round. We find the same aromas of the nose in the mouth with a fresh finale and liquorice notes. It pairs perfectly with grilled meats.

Wine Details
Grapes: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Service: Serve between 15-17 degrees C
Yield: 20 hl/ha
[Information provided by J.H.N.]

2017 Domaine Clef de St Thomas Chateauneuf du Pape Pierre Troupel
France, Rhone, Southern Rhone, Chateauneuf du Pape
Rating: 92
Producer: Domaine Clef de St Thomas
Color: Red
Type: Table
Sweetness: Dry
Variety: Proprietary Blend
Drink Date: 2019 - 2030
Issue Date: 30th Aug 2019
Source: Issue 244 End of August 2019, The Wine Advocate
Reviewed by Joe Czerwinski
A blend of Grenache and Syrah from sandy soils in la Charbonniere, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Pierre Troupel was aged in stainless steel and boasts floral notes up front, followed by hints of raspberries, apricots and nectarines. Full-bodied and silky, it's pretty and pure, with a vibrant, fresh and charming personality. It should drink well for at least a decade.

Domaine Clef de Saint-Thomas 2017 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pierre Troupel
Points: 91
Chateauneuf Du Pape, Southern Rhone
Red wine from France
Drinking window: 2024-2033
Shimmering ruby. Ripe red fruits, pungent spices, smoked meat and a lavender nuance on the deeply perfumed nose. Juicy and seamless in texture, showing very good depth and focus to the lush, warm raspberry and bitter cherry flavors. Fine-grained tannins build on the finish, which lingers with persistent notes of berry liqueur and baking spices. -Josh Raynolds, December 2019

Domaine Clef de Saint Thomas
Points: 90
Tasted In: 2017
Vintage Wine: 2017
Label: Pierre Troupel
Country: France
Region: Vallee du Rhone
Domaine: Domaine Clef de Saint Thomas
Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Category: Red wine
Grape Variety: Grenache (80%), Syrah (20%)
Tasting Comments: The colour is halfway between ruby and garnet tints. Distinctive nose of wild plants, black tea scents, sun-ripened fruits and a liquoricy, spicy touch. Accessible palate boasting restrained power with aromas following on from one another in this racy Chateauneuf.

2017 Domaine Clef de Saint Thomas Pierre Troupel (Chateauneuf-du-Pape)
Spicy, fresh, red fruits, kirsch and garrigue open the nose. The wine is medium bodied, bright, fresh and juicy, with a freshness to the kirsch in the sweet finish. The wine was made from a blend of Grenache and Syrah.
89 Points
Tasted Sep 21, 2019