2023 Domaine Du Calcernier

I am thrilled to offer this wine again as part of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Club Pack. My mom and dad spent the first two years of their marriage in France, where my dad fell in love with the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape — and ever since, on every holiday and special occasion, that was the wine he served. So do I.

Finding wines from this highly sought-after region took an extensive search. The little village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape sits atop a hill just outside Avignon, crowned by the “château” that once served as the Pope’s summer residence when the papacy was split between Rome and Avignon. The vineyards surrounding the village are distinguished by the large rounded stones — galets roulés — that drink in the sun by day and radiate heat back to the vines through the cool Provençal nights.

Two years ago I went to Châteauneuf in search of a second great wine to complete a club pack. After being sent from shop to shop, one kind owner finally looked at me and said, “You are looking for a true artist.” He pointed me to a small cave at the very top of the hill. I climbed up, tasted the wines, and was blown away — here was everything I had dreamed of. That little cave was Domaine du Calcernier, where William de Courten crafts rare, handmade wines from a family winemaking tradition stretching back to 1820. They told me they had no interest in exporting to the States and that their wines were always sold out. I begged. Finally — “well, just ten cases” — and I was thrilled. We are honored to share this exceptional, hard-won wine with our members.