Château Sixtine

Château Sixtine is the newly adopted name for the estate wines of the Diffonty family. Currently under the dynamic direction of Jean-Marc Diffonty and his wife Karine, the reputation of the family's wines continues to grow. 

One of the Southern Rhone's oldest wine families, the Diffontys have been winegrowers since 1673. From 1958 to 2010 their Châteauneuf du Pape wines gained a very high reputation under the Cuvèe du Vatican label; after 1998 their reserve wines were labeled Cuvèe du Vatican Reserve Sixtine.   Beginning with the 2010 vintage, the Cuvee du Vatican name will be used for negotiant wines from the Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf du Pape; the estate Châteauneuf du Papes will be labeled Château Sixtine. There will also be a second wine from the estate, which will be labeled Manus Dei du Château Sixtine.

Chateau Sixtine Châteauneuf du Pape 2011 

Long a favourite of Robert Parker for its concentration and staying power, now increasingly elegant and polished.  The 2011 is 40% grenache, 35% mourvedre, and 25% syrah from a selection of superior terroirs, combining clay/limestone, sand, and classic 'galets' soils. With much less emphasis on new oak, the delicate 'garrigue' aromas (lavender and dried Mediterranean herbs) are more charmingly evident, combining with the ripe plum and 'baked earth' aromas to provide a rich and complex expression of Châteauneuf du Pape.  Small production, excellent value; superb aging potential.

Chateau Sixtine Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc 2012

White Châteauneuf is one of the great -and rare - secrets in the world of wine.  At its best it offers all of the depth and power of great white Burgundy, with an exotic aromatic dimension that is utterly unique. Château Sixtine 2012 is a classic example.  Made from 100% roussanne kept in barrel for nine months, it is a wine of great depth and power, somehow combining lusciousness of texture with delicate aromas of honeysuckle, ripe melon, and orange blossoms. At this price it is stupendous value for money. Deliciously drinkable young, but worthy of 8 to 10 years of bottle age.