Description
“Under the young and capable leadership of Laetitia and Julien Barrot, Domaine la Barroche represents a bright light in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.” – Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Whilst this small estate is relatively new to estate bottling (first vintage 2003) in the list of producers of Chateauneuf, the Barrot family that owns these 12.5 hectares of Chateauneuf-du-Pape have been established in the village since about 1400. The average age of the vines at La Barroche is 60 years old and one third of the vineyards are more than 100 years old (Grenache). Most of the vineyards of the estate are located in the north and north-east of the appellation with just a few plots located close to the town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape on the southern side.
Vinification here is classic with cement tanks used for fermentation and a mixture of cement and large foudres used for elevage of the Grenache based components and smaller oak used for the ageing of Syrah and Mourvedre based components. In the cellar wine is moved by gravity and done according to the lunar calendar and weather patterns. The wines of La Barroche are modern in the best sense, clean, pure and brilliant.
“Julien Barrot is on a quest to dial back the richness of his wines “even if the weather isn’t cooperating much in the last few vintages” as he seeks. Barrot told me he is looking for “more detail and structure, without hard tannins.” Today’s wines here, even the 2017s and 2016s, are a far cry, finesse-wise from the wines that Barrot was making in the early to late 2000s, when he “was trying for maximum power, maximum weight. You know, like so many young winemakers do when they want to make a name for themselves.” While he is pleased with how those wines are aging (and I mostly concur), he says that he does wish that they showed “a more light touch and more fresh, or red fruit” as they increasingly do now.” Vinous Media, Josh Raynolds, Dec.2019
2020 vintage:
‘After tasting hundreds of 2020 Rhone wines last year, then again this year, it is now crystal clear that this is a great vintage for the region. The consistency of quality in 2020 is remarkable.’
Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, May 2023.
Made from 60% Grenache, 19% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 1% Vaccarese, 2% other varieties grown mainly in the north/north-east area of the appellation in red clay and sandy soil with average age of vines being 65 yo and nearly 50% of the Grenache being 100+ yo. This gives a wine with a great deal of freshness and extremely refined aromas with an elegant silky mouthfeel. Aged for 18 months on lees in demi-muid barrels. The resulting wine is fresh with great elegance yet also texture and great length and depth to the palate. This will surprise with its ageing capacity yet is so approachable already.
‘I was able to taste two releases from Julien Barrot. Looking first at his 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Julien Barrot, which is a blend of 60% Grenache, 19% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, and a handful of other varieties, it sports a deeper purple hue to go with a fabulous bouquet of kirsch and blackberry fruits as well as licorice, crushed stone, licorice, and ground pepper. It shines for its balance and elegance on the palate, but still brings substantial fruit as well as structure. It’s a thrilling wine that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades in cold cellars.’ 94 points, Jeb Dunnuck, November 2022.
‘Rich and fleshy, but with excellent tannin structure behind it, this is a very impressive modern style Chateauneuf. Plenty of preserved cherry and black raspberry fruit with notes of rosemary and thyme. Lovely silky texture until you reach the firm finish, which promises many more years of life. A cuvee of 60% grenache, 19% mourvedre, 13% syrah, 5% syrah and 3% other traditional grapes for the region. Drink or hold.’ 94 points, James Suckling, April 2023.
RRP $145 Our Special Price when you buy 6 or more $117.99
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