2018 DOMAINE LA BARROCHE – CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (750ML)

ORIGIN | France

ACCOLADES | Wine Spectator, 93
Vinuous / Antonio Galloni, 93
The Wine Advocate, 92
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com, 92

WINEMAKER NOTES | A great wine starts in a grand terroir. Domaine la Barroche is a family estate that has been passed down from one generation to the next since the 14th century. Julien’s father, Christian Barrot, is passionate about viticulture and has taken meticulous care of the family’s 12.5 hectare of vines since the early 1970’s. Until Julien joined his father back in 2002, all of the wine had been sold in bulk to negociants. Now, half of the Grenache vines are more than 100 years-old and are some of the oldest found in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Julien has moved to completely organic viticulture (not certified) and his father is still following his passion and continues to work in the vineyards. Taking all of his father’s work to the next level, Julien is now vinifying each grape variety and some parcels separately, studying and learning his holdings parcel by parcel.

TASTING NOTES | Nose of red and black raspberries, framboise, spring flowers, and peppery garrigue. Medium to full-bodied on the palate – appealingly sweet and expansive in the mouth offering red and blue fruit and spice flavors that are enhanced in the 2nd half of the bottle, it displays a notable sense of elegance and purity, light yet present tannins, and a great finish, all making for a terrific base cuvée to enjoy anytime over 10-12 years or so.

Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley.