Liu dit Pignan
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Lieu-dit Pignan” is sourced from Pignan, a northern sector of Châteauneuf-du-Pape known for its almost pure sandy soils. The parcel is planted to ungrafted Grenache vines over 100 years old, making it one of the most prized old-vine Grenache sites in the appellation.
The wine is ~100 percent Grenache, with only an occasional trace of Mourvèdre in certain vintages. Vinification is gentle, fermented in concrete or stainless steel, and the wine is aged mostly in tank or very old foudre to preserve fruit purity, with little to no new oak. It is typically bottled at around two years of age.
Critics consistently highlight its ethereal and aromatic style, shaped by the sandy terroir. Notes often referenced include kirsch, wild strawberry, dried flowers, Provençal herbs and orange peel, with a palate described as full-bodied but weightless, marked by fine tannins, seamless texture and long persistence.
The 2019 vintage received 99/100 from Jeb Dunnuck, who called it “insanely good,” and comparisons to old Château Rayas appear frequently in critical commentary.
| Vintage | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Type | Dry Red |
| Unit Size | 75cl |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône |
| Primary Appellation | Côte-Rôtie |
| Plot Size / Plot Elevation | Lieu-dit La Brocarde on the Côte Brune |
| Soil | Iron-rich schist soils |
| Age of vines | 70 to 100 years old |
| Farming | Sourced from very old vines |
| Varieties | Syrah |
| Fermentation | Fermented in open vats. High proportion of whole clusters in some vintages |
| Aging | Approximately 36 months or more in one-year-old barriques. Bottled unfined and unfiltered by gravity |
| Alcohol | 14% |
| Cork / Screw Cap | Cork |
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Ratings & Reviews
99 - 2019 Vintage
The finest example of this cuvée I’ve ever tasted, the
2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Lieu-Dit Pignan comes
from sandy soils bordering Rayas and, I believe, was
brought up in tank. It might be the closest thing to an
older Rayas (which were more concentrated and
opulent than today’s wines) with its deep ruby/purple
hue as well as insanely good aromatics of kirsch, wild
strawberries, flowery incense, Provencal spice, candied
orange, and garrigue. Full-bodied, ethereal, deep, and
multi-dimensional on the palate, it builds with time in
the glass and has ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance,
and a thrilling finish. If you get a chance, buy it.
95-97/100 - 2016 Vintage
The producer
Lelektsoglou & Fils sits quietly in Tain-l’Hermitage, but its influence runs deep across the Rhône. Founded in the early eighties by Georges Lelektsoglou — once a trusted broker for the region’s icons, now a cult name in his own right — the house built its reputation on precision, patience, and the kind of confidence that doesn’t need to shout…. Read more
