Learn everything about Cellier des Princes Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages,a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles
Cellier des Princes History, Overview
Cellier des Princes is the leading cooperative in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Created in 1924, Cellier des Princes is located in the commune of Courthezon. The name of the cooperative was changed in 1960 to Cellier des Princes. In total, 240 growers participate in the cooperative.
Growers working with Cellier des Princes are under contract to provide 100% of their crop for the allotted time of their agreement. On average, close to 150 hectares of vines from Chateauneuf du Pape are sold to Cellier des Princes each year.
When added with the other Southern Rhone Valley appellations, close to 750 hectares of grapes are produced and delivered to the cooperative in every vintage.
For a cooperative, Cellier des Princes produces some nice wines. Vinification today takes place in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. The wines are aged in cement tanks until bottling.
The cooperative produces both red and white Chateauneuf du Pape wines. Although the majority of the production is dedicated to red Chateauneuf du Pape wine.
The cooperative produces a myriad of different cuvees that are based on the quality of the grapes which are graded from A, B, to C. The grapes are rated depending on their level of ripeness and sugar levels. While they vinify a myriad of different grape varieties, the dominant grape used is of course Grenache.
Cellier des Princes Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking
Cellier des Princes produces at least the following wines.
Cellier des Princes Chateauneuf du Pape du Prince – 33,000 cases
Cellier des Princes Les Escondudes – 2,500 cases
Cellier des Princes Sainte Vierge – 2,000 cases
Cellier des Princes Les Hauts des Coteaux – 1,500 cases
Cellier des Princes La Pierre – 900 Cases
Cellier des Princes White Chateauneuf du Pape Eclat du Prince – 1,000 Cases
The cooperative also produces red and white wine in the Cotes du Rhone appellation.
When to Drink Cellier des Princes, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Cellier des Princes can be enjoyed on the young side. Young vintages can be popped and poured, or decanted for about 1 hour, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Cellier des Princes is usually better with 1-3 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages the wine should be consumed within 3-8 years after the vintage.
Serving Cellier des Princes with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Cellier des Princes is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.
Cellier des Princes is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed dishes, sausage, barbecue and cassoulet. Cellier des Princes is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, pasta and cheese.
The white wine of Cellier des Princes is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.
Cellier des Princes Wine Tasting Notes
9 Vintages 18,967 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
2017
Cellier des Princes Heredita (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium-bodied, bright fresh and juicy with a strawberry and bright cherry filled character from start to finish. The wine is a blend of 90% Grenache 5% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. 1,664 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
2017
Cellier des Princes Domaine Les Escondudes (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Bright, fresh, juicy, red berries and garrigue are found in this medium-bodied, lively, crisp, forward wine. The finish focuses on the lively side of Grenache with a strong herbal component. The wine is 100% Grenache. 1,877 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
2017
Cellier des Princes Domaine le Mourre (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, crisp, bright and fresh, the red berry dominated wine is lean in the finish. The wine is always produced from 100% Grenache. 1,755 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
2017
Cellier des Princes (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied with a strong garrague accent ti the forward, soft red fruits, this is going to offer nice drinking on release. The Grenache dominated blend includes 5% Mourvedre and 5% Syrah. 2,512 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
2014
Cellier des Princes Domaine le Mourre (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
From 100% Grenache, the wine is light in color and in fruit, but there is a sweet cherry essence making this easy and uncomplicated to drink. 1,854 Views Tasted Jun 23, 2016 |
2012
Cellier des Princes Domaine le Mourre (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
From 100% Grenache, the wine reached 15% ABV and delivers sweet, red fruits, spice box, earth and peppery notes. There is good freshness to the fruit that shows from start to finish 2,257 Views Tasted Sep 10, 2014 |
2012
Cellier des Princes Les Hauts des Coteaux (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied and easy to like, the wine was made in a soft, early drinking, open, finesse style. This is the top wine from the Chateauneuf du Pape cooperative. 1,781 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2014 |
2012
Cellier des Princes Domaine Les Escondudes (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
This medium bodied wine of pleasure delivers ample kirsch tones, hints of cocoa powder, spice and fresh herbs. 3,022 Views Tasted Sep 10, 2014 |
2012
Cellier des Princes (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, soft and forward, the wine serves up a clean, sweet, strawberry and balsamic finish. 2,245 Views Tasted Sep 14, 2014 |