Château Mont-Redon is one of the largest and most historic estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and one of the most dependable. This is classic southern Rhône wine done properly: generous, terroir-true reds and a serious white, made with real consistency and sold at prices that stay fair. If you want a benchmark Châteauneuf without the guesswork, start here.
History and the great galets plateau
Records of vines at Mont-Redon reach back to 1344, and the Plantin family rebuilt the estate from 1923 into the sizeable, still family-run property it is today. Its heart sits on the high, wind-scoured plateau in the north of the appellation, carpeted in the famous galets roulés, the large rounded pebbles that store the day's heat and shelter a cool, clay-rich subsoil beneath. There is safre (sand) and urgonian limestone here too, which is why the wines carry both power and lift. It is a fine way into the wider Rhône.
Grenache-led reds and a serious white
The red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is built around Grenache, with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and a handful of old varieties adding spice, colour and grip. Expect ripe dark fruit, garrigue herbs and a warm, rounded finish, one of the more reliable reds in the region for drinking well across a decade or more. The white, from Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne, is textured and fresh. The estate also makes wine in neighbouring Lirac and honest, everyday Côtes du Rhône.
Château Mont-Redon FAQ
What does Château Mont-Redon taste like?
The reds show ripe red and black fruit, dried herbs and sweet spice over a supple, warming body. The white is fuller than most, with orchard fruit, fennel and a citrus edge.
What food pairs with it?
Roast lamb, beef, duck and game suit the reds, along with grilled meats and Mediterranean dishes with herbs and olives. The white loves roast chicken, shellfish and creamy sauces.
Should I cellar it?
The reds drink well young, but a good vintage will improve for ten years or more, so it pays to buy a few and wait. The white is best in its first few years.