Sadly our great friend Jean-Jacques Sabon died in December 2011 after a long fight against cancer.
He handed over the wine making to his talented son in law Didier Negron back in 2004. We had already noticed how good Didier was when he was in charge of the white wine and now the estate remains in very good hands. Didier is looking after the wine making, Denis and his son Julien in charge of the vineyards and Gilbert looks after the administration. They make a lovely family and the wines go from strength to strength.
Robert Parker has been a regular visitor and customer for over 15 years.
The vines are planted in some of the best sites of Châteauneuf - Les Cabrières, La Crau, Courthezon and Nalys, and all with "galets roulés", have a minimum age of 50 years, with 90-year-old vines for the Cuvée Prestige.
The fermentation takes place in small cement vats and small stainless steel cuves, with pumping over and a cuvaison which lasts for 20 days at a temperature of between 30° and 34°.
The wine is matured in foudres and used barriques, and receives neither fining nor filtration. Their white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from 50% Roussanne with the remainder Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc, is absolutely stunning. We cannot recommend all their wines highly enough.
