Château de la Font du Loup Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Puy Rolland 2022

Winery Background & History
Château de la Font du Loup is a family estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône. The Mélia family has owned the estate since 1942, and the name means “fountain of the wolf,” referring to natural springs on the property. The estate is known for a fresher, more elegant Châteauneuf style because its vineyards sit on cooler, north-facing sandy slopes.

Producer & Wine Maker
Producer: Château de la Font du Loup
Current family management: Anne-Charlotte Mélia-Bachas and Laurent Bachas. 

Vineyard
Le Puy Rolland is a single parcel of very old Grenache vines, reportedly planted in 1905, on north-facing slopes with sandy soils. This cooler exposure allows slower ripening and gives the wine more perfume, freshness, and finesse compared with many richer Châteauneuf-du-Pape styles.

The Wine
This is a single-parcel, old-vine Grenache expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is less about heavy extraction and more about purity, red fruit, florals, spice, silky texture, and freshness.

Vintage
2022 — warm Southern Rhône vintage, but this site’s cooler north-facing sandy terroir helps preserve elegance and aromatic lift.

ABV %
Reported around 14.5% ABV for the 2022 by retailer/critical-note sources.

Vinification and Aging Method
Made from 100% Grenache, aged in large neutral foudre and stainless steel, preserving fruit purity and avoiding heavy oak influence. Some sources also describe the cuvée as focused on neutral-vessel ageing and minimal intervention.

Grape Varietals
100% Grenache / Grenache Noir. 

Tasting Notes
Elegant ruby colour. Aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, framboise, kirsch, dried flowers, pepper, orange peel, lavender, sweet spice, liquorice, and subtle earthy minerality. Palate is medium to full-bodied, silky and seamless, with fine tannins, fresh red and black fruit, floral lift, and a long, graceful finish.

Food and Wine Pairing
Excellent with roast duck, lamb rack, grilled pork chop, venison, beef tenderloin, char siu, roasted pigeon, mushroom dishes, herb-roasted chicken, and aged Comté. The wine’s silky Grenache fruit and spice also work very well with Cantonese roast meats.

Service Methods
Serve at 15–16°C. Decant 30–60 minutes if drinking now. Use a Burgundy or large Rhône glass to show the perfume and silky texture. Avoid serving too warm, as Grenache can feel more alcoholic above 18°C.

Storage and Ageing Potential
Drink from 2025–2036. It can be enjoyed young for its perfume and red fruit, but the old-vine concentration and fine tannins should allow graceful development for 10+ years under good storage. Store at 12–14°C, around 65–75% humidity, away from light and vibration.