Owned by the Gonnet family, this domaine is run by the two brothers, Michel and Jean. Font de Michelle is located in the town of Bedarrides, the southern-most village in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The Gonnet?s own almost 30 hectares (75 acres) of vineyards, with the largest portion of their vines in La Crau ? one of the most favored sites in the entire appellation. The Grenache vines in La Crau are between 45 and 110 years old. Michel and Jean work very hard in the vineyards, leaf-pulling and crop-thinning, to keep yields lower than the appellation allows. The hand-harvested fruit is handled with the utmost care, and the winery is completely gravity fed. Wines are bottled unfiltered.

"The affable Gonnet brothers combine the best of the traditional and progressive worlds of Chateauneuf du Pape in their two cuvees. These Chateauneuf can be drunk young, yet the Etienne Gonnet is capable of lasting 15-16 years. Font de Michelle has always been one of the top white Chateauneuf du Pape producers." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #145

Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2001 $35.99
"These are the two strongest offerings from Font de Michelle since their 1998. Performing even better out of bottle than it did out of foudres, the 2001 is a sensual, sexy, lush, medium bodied, dark garnet colored offering with a rich bouquet of tapenade, plum liqueur, lavender, smoke and Chinese black tea. Sweet, full bodied, lush and layered, it is a topt5al hedonistic as well as intellectual turn on. This upfront Chateauneuf should be consumed over the next 7-8 years." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #151
2000 $35.99 available
"Exhibits a plump, sweet nose of black currants, cherries, licorice and hints of tapenade as well as leather. medium to full bodied, with moderate tannin (lost in a wealth of fruit and glycerin), and a charming, velvety style, it will drink well for 10-14 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #145
1999 $31.99 limited
"Full, deep red. Perfumed, Burgundian aromas of tangy raspberry, flowers and smoke. Highly aromatic in the mouth, with perfectly integrated acids brightening and extending the red fruit and floral flavors. Finishes with lovely length and vibrancy. This will rely as much on its ripe acids as on its fine tannins for development in bottle. 90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-02
"The 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape offers a medium ruby/purple color as well as a big, forceful, perfumed bouquet of licorice, crushed pepper, Provencal herbs, blackberries, and cherries. The aromatic fireworks are followed by a soft, easy going, medium to full-bodied wine that the French would call a vin de plaisir. The complex nose, evolved palate, luscious fruit, abundant glycerin, and velvety texture have resulted in a charming, forward Chateauneuf to enjoy over the next 6-8 years."

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Etienne Gonnet
2001 $51.99
"Gorgeous Chateauneuf, with modern texture but authentically local aromas. Rich and thick, with impressive balance of ripe and concentrated fruit, sweet tannins and complex smoke, leather, mineral, rose petal, spice notes. The best parts are the round, coating texture on the palate and the caressing, velvety finish. Drink now through 2015." 95 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
"Reveals a deeper ruby/garnet color with a purple hue. A broad aromatic display offers up scents of roasted Provencal herbs, ground pepper, smoke, sweet black cherries, truffles and black currants. Full bodied and heady, with over 14% alcohol, it possesses abundant glycerin, superb concentration and a lusty, complex, provocative style that coats the palate. Drink it over the next 12-14 years." 93 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #151
2000 $49.99 available
"Good dark red. Smoky, inviting aromas of cherry, currant and bitter chocolate. Lush, sweet and seamless, showing the fat of the vintage. Red fruit and spice flavors nicely framed by harmonious, ripe acidity. Finishes long and spicy, with very suave, fine tannins." 91 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
"The deep purple-colored 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Etienne Gonnet reveals a firm underpinning of tannin and structure. Sweet licorice-infused blackberry fruit, cherry, smoke, and dried herb aromas and flavors are found in this deep, chewy, fleshy, atypically spicy effort. It possesses high glycerin levels, low acidity, and terrific ripeness as well as purity. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2014." 90-92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #138
1999 $49.99 limited
"Red-ruby. Deeper, sweeter, more complex nose features spicy redcurrant, violet pastille, game and underbrush. Dense, sweet and highly concentrated, but with the firm acid structure of the vintage. Finishes very long, with tongue-dusting but fine tannins." 91(+?)

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
2001 $31.99
"The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc cuvee is a medium-bodied effort possessing loads of glycerin as well as intense perfumes of tropical fruits, pears, and honeysuckle. It should be drunk over the next year." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #145
2000 $31.99 limited
1999 $27.99 limited

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvee Etienne Gonnet
2001 $41.99 limited
"The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc cuvee is a medium-bodied effort possessing loads of glycerin as well as intense perfumes of tropical fruits, pears, and honeysuckle. The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Etienne Gonnet blanc exhibits a full style with glycerin and alcohol in addition to a hint of wood. It should be drunk over the next year." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #145