Who makes it
Vineyard work at Domaine de la Solitude is done largely by hand. The estate belongs to one of the oldest families of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with heritage tracing to the fifteenth century. Florent Lançon, the eighth generation, has led the domaine since 2008.
The estate combines Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines with Côtes du Rhône bottlings. Its farming also includes an edible vineyard, where vines grow alongside heritage trees and other crops. Its farming includes heritage olive trees, diverse crops, bee hives and pastoralism.
Where it grows
Domaine de la Solitude's Châteauneuf-du-Pape holdings cover 37 hectares, including 8 hectares planted to white varieties. The domaine also produces wines under the Côtes du Rhône appellation, so its range moves between two Rhône labels with different geographic addresses.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape identifies the estate's central appellation, while Côtes du Rhône carries the red and white wines made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Clairette and Viognier. The labels separate the estate's local core from its wider Rhône range.
How it is made
The cellar
The large majority of vineyard work is done by hand. In the cellar, malolactic fermentation occurs in French oak barrels. This process converts sharper malic acid into softer lactic acid, while oak allows controlled oxygen exposure during the wine's development.
Ageing uses tanks together with new and used French oak barrels for 16 months. For Côtes du Rhône Rouge, destemmed grapes are vinified in concrete vats and then aged in concrete and stainless-steel vats for a year. Destemming removes the stems before fermentation, while concrete and steel keep the élevage focused on the fruit and the wine's natural tannins.
What they make
The range includes Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines alongside Côtes du Rhône Rouge and Blanc. La Solitude Côtes du Rhône Rouge is a blend of Grenache noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre. La Solitude Côtes du Rhône Blanc is made from Clairette, Viognier and Grenache.
The white has a round, generous mouthfeel and a fresh, flavourful finish. The red occupies the range as the darker, tannic Côtes du Rhône expression, with its three classic Rhône grape varieties and concrete based élevage.
Wines to try
First bottle
La Solitude Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023 comes first. It is the estate's white Côtes du Rhône bottle, distinct in appellation from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines and tied to a specific vintage. Its round, generous mouthfeel and fresh, flavourful finish give the bottle a clear physical shape within the range.