Domaine Jerome Gradassi Chateauneuf du Pape

Domaine Jerome Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a hand-produced Southern Rhône red blending 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, bottled at 14.5% ABV in 750ml. Recognized by Revue du Vin de France as one of the four finest Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines of its vintage—alongside Rayas, Capo de Pegau, and Clos du Mont-Olivet—this bottling comes from the smallest producer in the entire appellation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône Valley, France  |  Blend: 80% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre  |  Domaine: Domaine Jérôme Gradassi

Production & Heritage

Domaine Jérôme Gradassi operates as the smallest domaine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, producing wine entirely by hand and gravity without modern oenological technology. Whole bunches undergo fermentation in concrete tanks using indigenous yeasts, followed by a four-week maceration with manual punchdowns. At the end of maceration, Gradassi removes the fermented juice and berries by hand using a bucket and rope—a painstaking process that can take up to a week. The wine then ages for ten months in neutral oak barrels ranging from four to ten years old, preserving the purity of the fruit and terroir rather than imparting new wood character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe black and blue fruits emerge first, layered with fresh violet and dried herbs. Deeper inhalation reveals licorice, woodsmoke, and a subtle earthiness that speaks directly to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir.

Taste: The entry is broad and generous, with palate-coating cassis and bitter cherry at its core. Mid-palate, floral and spice nuances enliven the dark fruit, while a round, medium-bodied structure keeps the wine lively and focused. Ripe black-plum flavors are shaded by hints of earth, fallen leaves, and leather as the wine opens.

Finish: A strong closing punch carries supple tannins and lingering smokiness well past the final sip. The finish is persistent and savory, with dried herb and dark fruit echoes that invite another glass.

How to Drink Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled Burgundy glass to allow the aromatic complexity room to unfold. Decanting for 45 minutes to an hour softens the tannin structure and lets the violet and smoke notes fully emerge. This is a wine built for the table—its savory depth and supple texture reward thoughtful food pairing over casual sipping. Younger vintages particularly benefit from extended aeration, while bottles with several years of cellar age can be enjoyed with a shorter decant.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Rhône wine collector looking for small-production discoveries
• Anchoring a Southern Rhône tasting alongside Rayas and Pegau
• Pairing with a slow-braised lamb shoulder or holiday roast
• Cellaring for five to ten years to track its evolution

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape taste like? The dominant profile is broad, ripe black and blue fruit—particularly cassis and bitter cherry—framed by woodsmoke, dried herbs, licorice, and supple tannins. It is medium-bodied, round, and savory with a persistent smoky finish.

How does Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape compare to Château Rayas? Revue du Vin de France listed both Gradassi and Rayas among the four best Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines of the same vintage. While Rayas is a 100% Grenache wine from sandy soils with ethereal finesse, Gradassi incorporates 20% Mourvèdre and employs a distinctly artisanal, gravity-only production that gives it a broader, more savory character.

Is Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its layered aromatics and supple tannins make it an excellent wine for contemplative drinking, particularly after 45 minutes of decanting. It also rewards cellaring, with enough structure and concentration to develop additional complexity over five to ten years.

Where is Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape made? It is produced at Domaine Jérôme Gradassi in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Southern Rhône Valley, France. The domaine is the smallest producer in the appellation, crafting wine entirely by hand and gravity.

What foods pair well with Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Braised lamb shoulder complements the wine's earthy, herbal depth. Grilled duck breast matches its dark fruit intensity. Provençal beef daube mirrors the savory, smoky character. Aged Comté or Gruyère echoes the richness without overwhelming the tannins. Wild mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, leather-tinged undertones.

What sizes does Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape worth the price? Gradassi positions as a premium Châteauneuf-du-Pape that punches well above its weight, having been ranked by Revue du Vin de France alongside some of the appellation's most celebrated (and significantly more expensive) names. For collectors seeking artisanal, small-production Southern Rhône wine, it represents serious value within the appellation's upper tier.

Why Gradassi Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

What separates this wine from dozens of other Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottlings is the radical commitment to pre-industrial winemaking at the appellation's smallest domaine. The week-long, hand-and-bucket extraction process after maceration is virtually unheard of in modern winemaking and directly shapes the wine's distinctive texture and purity. Recognition from Revue du Vin de France alongside icons like Rayas and Pegau confirms that this micro-production approach delivers results at the highest level. For anyone drawn to wines that reflect a single producer's uncompromising vision, Gradassi is among the most compelling discoveries in the Southern Rhône today.