Domaine Chante Cigale is located within the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been owned by the Sabon Favier family for several generations. Consisting of 41 hectares, the domaine benefits from old vines, some of which are veritably ancient at over 100 years old. Alexandre Favier took over from his father, Christian, and is part of a new wave of producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, combining modern technical expertise with time-honoured winemaking practices.Alexandre is lauded by notable journalists including Steve Danzier and Jancis Robinson for his deftly-made and reasonably-priced wines. Domaine Chante Cigale has also built a reputation for specialising in white wines, of which they produce more than any other estate in the appellation.
As you might expect from someone born and raised on an estate named after singing cicadas, Alexandre Favier keenly promotes the biodiversity of his vineyards. He is very conscious of his role as guardian of his land for future generations and Chante Cigale is currently in conversion to full organic status.
Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cigale 2020
14% abv
A full-bodied white with rich, ripe pear fruit that develops into floral and herby peachiness. The wine has a long leesy character and fresh acidity. Attractive when young but worth leaving for a couple of years, which will allow the wine to develop some wonderful nutty and mineral notes. Eight-year ageing potential.
The domaine is located in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir with the typical stoney soil of “galets roulés” (rolled pebbles). A large part of the vineyard is located on the famous plateau de Cabrières, close to Château Montredon. Grapes for the white are from a five-hectare vineyard in Travaillon. The soils of the vineyard are made up of clay and chalk covered with a layer of the pebbles, which naturally keeps yields low. Vines are 40 years old, the pruning method is Cordon Royat and harvesting is all by hand. Alexandre produces five times more white wine than the other producers in Châteauneuf. Manual grape harvest with selective sorting. Fermentation at low temperature (66°F) 21 days in stainless-steel vats. Lees aging for about six months. No malolactic fermentation is done in order to maintain a good acidity level. The wine is bottled early to keep as much freshness and aromatics as possible. Approximately 20% of each variety (Grenache Blanc, Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, and Clairette) was used.
Explore More:
2020 | Bourboulenc | Chateauneuf du Pape | Domaine Chante Cigale | Duty Paid | Europe | France | Grenache Blanc | Rhone | Roussanne | Still | White | Wine- Reference #:
- 2933
- Strength
- 14 ABV
- Bottles per Case
- 6 bottles
- Grapes
- Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne
- Organic
- No
- Biodynamic
- No
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
- Sparkling
- No