M. Chapoutier : Barbe Rac 2019

A strong effort, Chapoutier's tank-aged 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac is 100% Grenache from a parcel of old vines near the western edge of the appellation. As always, it showcases outrageously pure red raspberries and cherries, this vintage adding minor floral notes and showing less garrigue than it has in some other years. Packed with flavor, this bold, full-bodied wine features gentle waves of silky tannins, framing a long, intense finish.

Ripe and alluring, with a silky feel despite ample depth to the waves of cassis, bitter cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. The finish boasts garrigue, singed cedar, dried anise, sanguine and black tea notes. A beauty for the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2036. 9 cases imported.

Tons of forest berries and damson plums, but also dried herbs. An extremely expressive wine with great fruit, very fresh and slightly crunchy tannins, plus energy that makes it leap and bound across the palate. Stunning licorice and mineral finish that proves Chateauneuf can be an exciting and elegant wine. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.

Vibrant, rich, lush and silky, this elegant, concentrated, supple wine delivers seemingly endless waves of sweet, ripe, spicy kirsch, black raspberries and cherries with a floral accent. This is the top <a href="https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/rhone-wines-cote-rotie-hermitage-chateauneuf-du-pape/chateauneuf-du-pape-wine-producer-profiles/southern-rhone-complete-appellation-guide-chateauneuf-15-regions/">Southern Rhone</a> wine from Chapoutier. Produced from 100% old-vine Grenache, the wine should drink well young, yet age for 15 or more years with ease. Drink from 2024 - 2038.

Strong ruby, purple reflections, broad and bright ochre rim. Fresh plums underlaid with orange zest, some nougat, blackberry confit, subtle herbal spice, inviting bouquet. Juicy, complex and elegant, pleasant fruit expression, supporting tannins, very good length, a hint of dried plums on the finish, certain ageing potential.

Tons of garrigue, Provençal spice, pepper, and kirsch liqueur aromas and flavors emerge from the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac, a quintessential 100% Grenache revealing full-bodied richness, the ripe, concentrated style of the vintage, building tannins, and a great finish. All Grenache that was destemmed and aged 18 months in concrete, it’s going to benefit from 3–5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15–20 years in cool cellars.

With aromas of fruit jam and spices, you can sense the terroir’s furnace; it feels warm in the glass, yet on the palate the tannins are fine and caressing, and balance is preserved despite the solid 15.5%. You feel the warmth rise on the finish. It’s set for a long evolution in bottle and will likely mellow a bit with time.