Guillaume Gonnet, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Bel Ami, Southern Rhône, France, 2021

Producer Profile

The energetic and charismatic Guillaume Gonnet is not your average Rhône winemaker. Extremely open in his attitude, his curious, boundary challenging approach extends beyond wine.

He travelled to the far ends of the earth, revelling in the opportunity to surf some of the best waves in the world while learning his craft in various Australian and New Zealand regions. Returning to the Rhône, now with his Australian wife Kelly, Guillaume has shown similar energy for his family estate and for his own nascent project. This land locked surfer may be miles from the ocean but is happily riding the wave of new found enthusiasm for Grenache based wines. Pursuing biodynamics wherever possible, allowing his fruit to express itself freely through hands-off winemaking and displaying his fascination for the varying soils of the Rhône through his diverse range of wines, he's just the sort of restless creative that we love to work with.

Viticulture

The soils is made up of round pebbles on the surface, sand, clay and limestone. The vines are very old and average 50 to 90 years old and planted at a density of 3500 vines per HA, planted on a South East facing vineyard. All grapes are hand harvested.

Winemaking

Vinified and aged in various types of container. 30% pyramid shaped concrete vats, 30% wooden vats, 30% stainless steel, 10% demi muids (600L) barrels.

Oak Ageing

Type: Demi muids 600L
% wine oaked: 30
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

A red and black fruit bouquet, of cherries and blackberries, a hint of garrigue, liquorice and spice. A fine wine. This wine will open up beautifully if decantered at least 1 hour before serving.

Food Matching

A very versatile food partner. Anything from game, red meats, coq au vin, parma ham, duck and spicy sausage.

Awards

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Smoldering in feel, with smoke and incense notes encircling red plum, black pepper and singed garrigue flavors, all wrapped around a spine of iron. This red's tannins are sculpted but hold firm on the svelte finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2030. 80,000 cases made, 20,000 cases imported. 91 Points, 2024.
Wine Advocate 90-92 Points
An assemblage of around 10 varieties, sourced from the lieux-dits of Croix de Bois, La Crau and Les Combes, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Bel Ami is about 50% Grenache, with the other largest components being Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Aging is in tank and foudre. The wine is herbal and even a bit sappy on the nose, with mixed berry fruit, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and the structure is provided by silky tannins and crisp acids. 90-92 Points, JC, 2024.
Wine Spectator Top 100 91-93 Points.
Beautiful ripe cherry, cassis, ground pepper, and leather notes all emerge from the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Bel Ami, a classic blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah that's brought up in a mix of foudre, demi-muid, and concrete tank. With medium-bodied richness, good mid-palate depth, and rock-solid structure, this terrific, balanced 2021 will benefit from just a few years of bottle age and keep for 15 years. It's impressive, especially in the vintage. 91-93 Points, JD, 2024.