2021 Chateau Mont-Thabor Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Old-vine Grenache in a classic key: Mont-Thabor 2021 layers black-cherry and blackberry depth with cigar-box spice and a faint smoky line, then finishes long and tidy. It’s poised rather than showy—CdP clarity with a quiet streak of power.

Very Good

91

Our Rating

Price
$ 0
Regions

Southern Rhône

Varietal

Grenache-led Southern Rhône blend

Table of Contents

Although the domaine is based in Bédarrides, this cuvée draws from long-held parcels inside Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The house style is traditional and terroir-first, ripe fruit, savory detail, and élevage designed to polish, not mask, the vineyard voice. Core specs, parcel names, and vinification choices are summarized on the official CdP page.

Producer Background

Château Mont-Thabor traces its roots back to the 17th century, with the modern era guided by the Stehelin family; today Fanny Stehelin and Vincent Brémond lead the winery (see the estate’s story timeline). The shift from bulk wine to estate bottling and the expansion into neighboring appellations are documented across the site. Current communications emphasize eco-minded farming and restrained cellar work as part of the identity.

Vineyard / Source

Fruit comes from roughly 5 ha across Pied Redon, Croix de Bois, and Valori—a trio listed in the estate’s tech sheet. These sites mix galets roulés and red sandy clays, with pockets of red slate/sands, all characteristic CdP terroirs explained on the growers’ soil & vineyard map. Old-vine Grenache (≈80 years) anchors the blend, with Syrah and Mourvèdre/Cinsault contributing color, spice, and structure.

Winemaking & Production

Harvesting is by hand with parcel sorting. Syrah is destemmed and worked (remontage/délestage/pigeage), while other varieties ferment whole-cluster with native yeasts for ~three weeks in cement—all specified in the estate’s tech sheet. Élevage typically splits ~2/3 in seasoned barrels (no new wood) and ~1/3 in tank, keeping oak flavor in the background as texture.

Vintage Context (Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021)

Independent reports describe 2021 as a cooler, weather-challenged year that nonetheless produced fresher, earlier-drinking profiles at careful estates. The official growers’ site provides broad terroir framing and AOC rules that help contextualize the style shift versus hotter recent years (see CdP overview). In short, 2021 trades some sheer power for lift and clarity, which suits Mont-Thabor’s restrained cellar approach.

Appearance. Deep ruby with high clarity and a viscous rim—visual cues for a full-bodied, structured CdP. The saturated core suggests concentration without opacity.
Aromas. Pronounced black cherry, blackberry, and strawberry ride over cigar-box/oak and anise tones; a light smoke thread emerges with air. Alcohol reads medium(+) but folds into the dark-fruit core.
Palate. Dry and full-bodied with a firm feel; flavors track black cherry, black currant, blackberry, and strawberry, framed by cigar-box spice and a gentle smoky echo. The structure leans on fruit density and tannin rather than brisk acidity.
Finish. Long and clean, with savory spice lingering over the black-fruit core. The balance is classic and food-versatile.

In Conclusion

Mont-Thabor 2021 favors poise over bravado: dark fruit is trimmed by cedar and smoke, the mid-palate stays sleek, and the finish snaps back to clean stone and spice. It reads like a confident, classic CdP that rewards attention without demanding it.

Country

France

Regions

Southern Rhône

Varietal

Grenache-led Southern Rhône blend

Alcohol

15.8%

Winemaker

Daniel Stehlin

Decant

90 Minutes

DRINK

Now - 2034

Winery

Château Mont-Thabor

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