The Cuvée Centenaire bottling is among the rarest and most
sought after wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is produced from
ancient vines planted in 1889. The Centenaire vineyard is planted
to roughly 80% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre and 8% Syrah. The
Grenache, which is often picked at 16 degrees potential alcohol, is
vinified and aged in tank, while the Mourvèdre and Syrah are
finished in small barrels for up to 24 months. Brunel only makes
the Cuvée Centenaire in the finest vintages, otherwise the old-vine
fruit is used in the "regular" Les Cailloux bottling.
