Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 (Vintage Report, 10 Outstanding Bottles, Prices)

Despite a few fluctuations in weather, the Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 vintage vastly surpassed expectations! The wines turned out to be seductive and irresistible.

What makes these wines special? Which is the best bottle to buy now?Explore the Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 vintage in detail - the weather conditions during the year, wine characteristics, and the top wines to buy in 2021.

Was 2010 a Good Year for Chateauneuf du Pape?

Overall, 2010 was a phenomenal year for red and white wine in the Northern Rhone and Southern Rhone wine regions.

The Chateauneuf du Pape appellation saw cold nights and delayed harvests. 

This gave the grapes their deep purple color, and the rainy spring and dry summer of the Rhone valley developed the wine’s healthy and ripe tannin structure.

Furthermore, cooler and wetter than usual weather resulted in lower grape yields and slower malolactic fermentation. However, what the wines lost in terms of quantity, they gained in concentration and quality.

Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 Wine Style and Characteristics

The 2010 red wine and white wine blends were made from varied proportions of Grenache, Mourvedre, Roussanne, Clairette, and other permitted grape varieties.

Some of the fruit came from ancient vineyard plots with exceptional terroir and vine plantings that are more than 100 years old.

The wines have intense aromas of fruit, spice and minerals. Their mouthfeel is rich with ripe tannin textures, offering a well balanced freshness and a beautiful, long finish.

Most of the red vintages and a few whites show the potential for long-term cellaring

10 Exquisite Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 Wines

Here are the best 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape vintages to buy in 2021:

1. 2010 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve
2. 2010 Chimere Chateauneuf-du-Pape
3. 2010 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Celestins
4. 2010 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan Reserve
5. 2010 Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum
6. 2010 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Blanc
7. 2010 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Grand Cuvee Hommage a Jacques Perrin
8. 2010 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee da Capo
9. 2010 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape
10. 2010 E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape

1. 2010 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve ($2,025)

The 2010 Chateau Rayas is an irresistible red wine with licorice and red fruit (raspberry and cherry) aromas and silky tannin.

2. 2010 Chimere Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($1035)

Made from 93% Mourvedre and 5% Grenache grape varieties, this wine exhibits dark fruit, licorice, violet aroma, Morrocan spice, and charcoal. The palate has good acidity and ripe tannin.

3. 2010 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Celestins ($655)

The 2010 Henri Bonneau is a gorgeous wine loaded with kirsch, garrigue, spice, black fruit, and floral notes. It offers a balance of supple tannin and juicy acidity with a lingering finish on the palate.

4. 2010 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pignan Reserve ($633)

This intense 2010 Cote du Rhone red wine offers a fresh and long finish on the palate. The wine is intensely aromatic with complex notes of spice, orange zest, minerals, and red fruit.

5. 2010 Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum ($629)

The 2010 Clos Saint-Jean offers a magical drinking experience with its sweet and perfect finish. 

6. 2010 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Blanc ($551)

This stunning white wine blend presents notes of honeysuckle, citrus oil, and exotic fruit like fig and mango. It is full-bodied with good acidity and an elegant finish.

7. 2010 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Grand Cuvee Hommage a Jacques Perrin ($503)

The 2010 Grand Cuvee is a classic blend of Mourvedre, Grenache, Counoise, and Syrah grapes. It offers a nose of truffle, cassis, black cherry, raspberry liqueur, and lavender. On the palate, it displays fine tannin textures with good acidity. 

8. 2010 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee da Capo ($497)

This 2010 Domaine de Pegau vintage is a vivacious red wine that showcases lush notes of dark fruit, licorice, spice, cherry, and plum. It offers ripe tannin textures with a long finish on the palate.

9. 2010 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($122)

The Chateau du Beaucastel vintage from 2010 is a gorgeous wine with an excellent finish. It combines complex notes of ripe fruit like raspberry and blueberry, bouquet garni, kirsch, blackberry confiture, crushed plum, and bitter cherry flavors.

10. 2010 E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($51)

This southern Rhone vintage is a classic blend that has a vivid bouquet of black cherry, olive, smoked red fruit, blackcurrants, licorice, sweet spice, and black pepper. It has a persistent finish with gentle tannin textures.

Add a 2010 Vintage Chateauneuf du Pape Wine to Your Collection

The rich and fruity 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape wines have excellent potential for cellaring. 

These wines are highly acclaimed, receiving rave reviews from notable critics like Wine Spectator.

Want to add a bottle from the 2010 vintages to your collection?

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