2015 Domaine Roger Sabon Le Secret des Sabon Chateauneuf du Papett

The Hunt for a Great Châteauneuf

Consistently rated amongst the greatest wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, “Le Secret” is coveted by collectors all over the world for its supreme elegance, immense complexity, and of course, its scarcity. As Robert Parker wrote, “There are only 250 cases of the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon, but it will be worth the hunt.” Wine Spectator dropped a scorching 97-point rating on the massively concentrated 2015 and wrote, “There’s a velvety, caressing mouthfeel to the waves of Linzer torte, warm cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors, laced with black tea, mulled spice, singed alder and melted licorice notes.” 

The estate at Roger Sabon covers 44 acres with vines planted in some of the most coveted plots in Châteauneuf, Lirac, and the Côte du Rhône. The family’s crown jewels, two 100-year old parcels near Courthezon, produce “Le Secret.” Spidering deep down through the limestone-rich soil, the ancient vines yield luxurious wines of immense complexity and concentration, painting a portrait of this extraordinary terroir, at once vivid and completely unique. 

At the helm of the winemaking team is Didier Negron, stepson of the late Jean-Jacques Sabon, who was a great friend and teacher to Robert Parker himself. Didier, who began making the wines in 2001, has since made an equally favorable impression on Parker, who called the estate “brilliantly run,” and “one of my favorite estates in the southern Rhone.”

Didier’s latest effort is a spectacular rendering of the Sabon family’s century-old vines, grown from one of the greatest vintages the southern Rhône has seen in decades. Wine Spectator’s 97-point 2015 vintage produced an incredible crop of finessed, gorgeous wines and “Le Secret” is amongst the best; available for the first time ever on Wine Access.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 13.50%
• 2 hours
• Now – 2039
• % Grenache% Mourvèdre% Syrah
• Serving temperature – 58°
• Cork