Rhône Theme
Timed Online Auction, 2 - 12 February 2024
Rhône | International & South African offering
About the SessionThe first sale of the 2024 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction calendar is an exciting Rhône valley and Rhône-style offering and has fast-become one of the most popular at Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auctions.
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About this Item
The Diffonty family, the owners of Domaine Cuvée du Vatican, can date their history in Châteauneuf-du-Pape back to the 17th century. After replacing the estate’s fruit and olive production with vines, Cuvée du Vatican sold their first vintage in 1902 – 100 years ago. Felicien Diffonty, who had managed the company since 1945, passed the estate down to his son, Jean Marc, and his wife, Karine, in 1992. In 2010, the Diffonty family renamed their estate ‘Sixtine’ to match the name of their top wine and started to produce a second wine – Manus Dei. Today, the property stretches over 22.5 hectares stretching across various terroir in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Displays superb ripeness, with raspberry and fig notes layered with alluring cocoa powder, dark licorice and sweet spice. Long and rich on the finish, this pumps out fruit and terroir in a modern-styled package.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Dec 2007)
‘More modern in style than the classic cuvee, yet also more youthful and lively, the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine (50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre) is a beauty! Exhibiting plenty of sweet oak in its ripe black fruits, spice, licorice and roasted meat bouquet, it’s full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with at least another decade of prime drinking.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Feb 2015)
‘Ruby-red. Cherry-vanilla, cassis and mocha aromas are sharpened by dusty minerality and fresh rose. Velvety red fruit flavors display excellent depth, picking up bitter cherry and dark chocolate on the finish. Shuts down with air, suggesting that this will need some cellar time’ – Josh Reynolds, Vinous, 92/100 (Jan 2008)
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