The Grand Tinel Estate is the fruit of two ancient families who were already well-known in the 16th century; Establet and Jeune. Five hundred years later, in the 1960s, the two estates became one when Christiane Establet and Pierre Elie Jeune married. The Grand Tinel Estate was established in 1972. During the 16th century, “Grand Tinel” meant, in Latin, a keg or a cellar. At present, it means the aging cellar.
The distinctiveness of this land lies in its rounded pebbles, which soak up the heat of the sun during the day and restore it to the vines at night. Thus, our grapes reach maximum maturity with characteristic robustness and powerful aromas. Our vineyard covers 74 hectares and is planted with vines of a ripe, old age in different varieties, such as: for the 56 hectares of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Counoise for the red wines, and Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourbelenc for the white wines. For the 18 hectares of Côtes du Rhône wines: Grenache and Carignan.
Cultivation at The Grand Tinel Estate is environmentally friendly; following strict measures kept in a schedule of conditions and regularly checked to see that all is done properly. This method accompanies a reasonable and limited use of natural fertilizers and products in order to preserve Mother Nature while resulting in a natural, quality product.
Vinification is accomplished by complete destemming of the grapes, crushing and pumping into fermentation vats. Fermatation lasts between three and four weeks with temperatures controlled throughout the fermentation process. Then we drain the juice and press the pomace. A close eye is kept on the end of the fermentation process to guarantee wines of exceptional quality. During fermentation we do one to two pumpings per day with three or four emptying and refilling of the vats (for red wines only).
Ageing the wine consists of repetitive rakings to clarify the wine. Throughout these operations, each vat is checked for taste. The wine is then transferred to oak barrels (old and new oak) where they remain for a minimum of one to two years.
Grand Tinel Chateauneuf du Pape 2012
The straight 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape is made from 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah and 3% Mourvedre, from the La Gardiole and Palestor lieux-dits, that was aged 12 months in a combination of small barrels, foudre and stainless steel. Kirsch, dried garrigue, cocoa powder and brown spice all come together nicely in this medium to full-bodied, supple, downright sexy 2012. While the initial impression had me thinking it’s best consumed earlier rather than later, it showed more structure and length with time in the glass, so my bet is that it will have upwards of a decade of longevity. Domaine du Grand Tinel is run with considerable success by the Jeaune Family, with consulting advice from Philippe Cambie. A large estate, it covers over 130 acres spread throughout the appellation.”- Jeb Dunnuck WA
Composition of the Cuvee Grenache noir 80%, Syrah 15%, Mourvedre 5% Terroir Silica-clayish soils with rounded pebbles. Average Age of the Vines Plots of 30 and 50 years old Harvest Production 67,000 bottles. The picking, entirely manual, is followed by systematic sorting in the vineyard and after on a sorting table in the cellar. Vinification It is traditional with complete de-stemming. The grape varieties are wine-made separately. The harvest is de-stemmed crushed in full. Long vatting from three to four weeks. The temperatures are controlled throughout the alcoholic fermentation. Pumping over one or two times a day along with three or four emptying and refilling the vats during the fermentation. A daily tasting of each tank takes place in order to determine the date of devatting. Aging From 12 to 24 months in oak big casks and barrels. Bottling Estate bottled with our own bottling line.
REVIEWS:
Domaine du Grand Tinel CdP 2009 IWC August 2011
Domaine du Grand Tinel Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 WA 215 October 2014
Domaine du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012, VINOUS April 2015
Grand Tinel Chateauneuf du Pape Alexis Establet 2012
“The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Alexis Establet is a knockout effort that has fabulous fruit intensity, medium to full-bodied richness and a sexy, voluptuous style. Coming all from 100+-year-old Grenache vines planted in sand and pebble soils, and aged 12 months in foudre and oak tanks, it gives up notions of black raspberry, mulled blackberries, crushed flowers and herbes de Provence. Already reasonably approachable, enjoy it over the coming decade.”- Jeb Dunnuck WA
Composition of the Cuvee Black Grenache Terroir Silica-clayish soils with rounded pebbles. Average Age of the Vines + 90 years old Harvest Production 13,000 bottles. The picking, entirely manual, is followed by systematic sorting in the vineyard and after on a sorting table in the cellar. Vinification Traditional with complete de-stemming. Long vatting three to four weeks. The temperatures are controlled throughout the alcoholic fermentation. Pumping over one or two times a day along with three or four emptying and refilling the vats during the fermentation. Aging From 12 to 18 months in old and new oak casks. Bottling Estate bottled with our own bottling line. Keeping Potential 5 to 15 years
REVIEWS:
Domaine du Grand Tinel CdP Cuvee A. Establet 2009 WA 191
Domaine du Grand Tinel CdP Cuvee A. Establet 2009 IWC August 2011
Domaine du Grand Tinel Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Alexis Establet 2012 WA 215 October 2014
Domaine du Grand Tinel Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Alexis Establet 2012 WA 215 October 2014
Grand Tinel Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée Heres 2007
The limited cuvee (300 cases) of 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Heres comes from 105-year-old Grenache vines. Enormously rich, broodingly backward, and somewhat monolithic, it reveals a dense purple color as well as gorgeously pure fruit, mouth-searing levels of tannin, and surprisingly crisp acids. It is a blockbuster in the making, but patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030.
The wine is aged totally in vats as opposed to small barrels or demi-muids, and should have even greater longevity than the Alexis Establet. The 2007 should merit a score in the mid-to-upper 90s in three to four years, although it is tightly knit at present. A large estate by Chateauneuf du Pape standards (nearly 140 acres), Grand Tinel produces some of my favorite wines of the appellation as they always possess enormous aromatic appeal as well as flavor texture. Since consultant Philippe Cambie arrived in 2002, the quality has gotten dramatically higher. The estate did not present any 2008s for tasting, but given the brilliance of their 2007s, I’m not complaining. Robert Parker COMPOSITION 100 % Black Grenache TERROIR A sandy soil in La Gardiole area (Les Sables) AVERAGE AGE OF VINES +90 years HARVEST The picking, entirely manual, is followed by systematic sorting in the vineyard and after on a sorting table in the cellar. PRODUCTION 6,600 bottles VINIFICATION Traditional with complete destemming. The totality of the fermentation takes place in stainless steel tank. The temperatures are controlled throughout the alcoholic fermentation. Pumping over one or two times a day along with three or four emptying and refilling the vats during the fermentation. Long vatting from 3 to 4 weeks. A daily tasting of the tank takes place in order to determine the date of devatting. AGING Exclusively in stainless steel tanks (50 Hl) during 14 months. KEEPING POTENTIAL 15 to 20 years
