Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve 2022 750ml

Domaine Roger Sabon has been bottling its own wine for nearly a century, and the family's actual roots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape stretch back even further, to vineyards dating to 1560. Roger Sabon formally established the self-named estate in 1952, and responsibility passed to his three sons — Gilbert, Jean-Jacques, and Denis — in 1976. Today the domaine is a genuine family affair: Denis's daughter Delphine runs the commercial side, his son Julien works the vineyards alongside him, and winemaking is entrusted to Jean-Jacques's son-in-law, Didier Négron, who previously trained at other prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape estates before joining the family operation.

The Réserve is sourced from vines planted on La Crau Ouest and La Grenade, two of the domaine's most storied parcels, on the region's characteristic clay and limestone-rich soils. The 2022 vintage runs 80% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, following a growing season marked by extreme warmth and dryness. The wine ferments in concrete vats, with an extended maceration on the skins providing genuine color and tannin extraction without the need for punching down — before aging entirely in old foudres and large vessels, distinct from the domaine's more oak-influenced Cuvée Prestige.

The critical reception has been genuinely outstanding, with two of the wine world's most respected publications converging on the same score. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded 93 Points, describing "a dense, deep bouquet of lead pencil, licorice, spices, dark wild berries and fresh thyme," the palate "medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated," "perfectly balanced with a layered mid-palate framed by velvety tannins," concluding with "a long, saline finish," and noting "it will take some time for this powerful Châteauneuf-du-Pape to hit its strike." Vinous matched that with 93 Points, finding "wild strawberries, ripe black fruits, licorice, cured meat and iodine" introducing "a bold and concentrated effort," with "crushed rocks" adding "more complexity," describing the wine as "tightly knit with firm tannins," needing "a long stay in a cool cellar," closing with "a long and savory finale," and recommending it be enjoyed "best from 2026 through 2036." Only 780 cases were produced in total, with 200 cases imported to the US. This is genuinely serious, patient Châteauneuf-du-Pape — built for real cellaring rather than immediate drinking.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Domaine Roger Sabon is a family-run estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with roots in the region dating to 1560, formally established under the Roger Sabon name in 1952. Responsibility passed to Roger's three sons — Gilbert, Jean-Jacques, and Denis — in 1976, and the estate remains family-run today, with Denis's daughter Delphine handling the commercial side, his son Julien working the vineyards, and winemaking led by Didier Négron, Jean-Jacques's son-in-law. The domaine cultivates 46 hectares total, with 18 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The Réserve is sourced from vines on La Crau Ouest and La Grenade, two of the estate's storied parcels, on clay and limestone-rich soils. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 80% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, fermented in concrete vats with extended skin maceration, and aged entirely in old foudres and large vessels. Total production for this vintage was 780 cases, with 200 cases imported to the US.

Critics Reviews

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate — 93 Points (September 2024):
"The Sabon's 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve, a blend of 80% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre sourced from vines planted on La Crau Ouest and La Grenade, evokes a dense, deep bouquet of lead pencil, licorice, spices, dark wild berries and fresh thyme. Medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it's perfectly balanced with a layered mid-palate framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. It will take some time for this powerful Châteauneuf-du-Pape to hit its strike."

Vinous — 93 Points (August 2024):
"Wild strawberries, ripe black fruits, licorice, cured meat and iodine introduce the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve, a bold and concentrated effort from Roger Sabon. Crushed rocks add more complexity. Tightly knit with firm tannins, the powerful 2022 needs a long stay in a cool cellar. A long and savory finale wraps it up. Starts off caressing in feel, with ripe wild berry and blackberry paste edged in accents of herbs and smoked apple wood. A graphite layer picks up steam and guides the long, substantial finish. Full and concentrated but not heavy, offering suave, polished pleasure." Best from 2026 through 2036.

Tasting Profile

Nose
A dense, deep bouquet of lead pencil, licorice, and spice leads, joined by dark wild berries and fresh thyme, alongside wild strawberry, cured meat, and iodine, with crushed rocks adding mineral complexity.

Palate
Medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, with ripe wild berry and blackberry paste carrying the entry, edged in herbs and smoked apple wood. Velvety tannins frame a layered mid-palate, with a graphite layer building through to the finish.

Finish
Long and saline, closing savory and substantial, with firm, tightly knit tannins signaling real cellaring potential — genuinely built for patience.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Braised or roasted red meat
• Wild game
• Aged, hard cheeses
• Rich, savory stews