Domaine de Marcoux : Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" 2023

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" 2023 from Domaine de Marcoux

Tasting

Nose

The nose opens with notes of ripe fruit.

Palate

On the palate, the richness of the Grenache carries through a ripe tannic structure to a lovely length.

Food and wine pairing

This red Châteauneuf-du-Pape pairs naturally with red meats and cuts of lamb prepared Provençal style.

Serving and cellaring

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" 2023 stands out for its considerable cellaring potential.

A structured red Châteauneuf-du-Pape from old Grenache vines at Domaine de Marcoux

The estate

Located in the Rhône Valley, Domaine de Marcoux is built on a family of winegrowers, the Armeniers, documented in Châteauneuf-du-Pape as far back as 1344. The label was founded in 1975, with the arrival of Philippe Armenier and the start of estate bottling. Owned by the Armenier–Estevenin family, it is now run by Sophie Armenier and her son Vincent Estevenin. Its vineyard of around 28 hectares spans Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac and Côtes-du-Rhône. Farmed organically since 1991 under ECOCERT certification, it also uses biodynamic preparations.

The vineyard

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvée comes from two parcels of old Grenache vines. The first, Charbonnières, covers around 2.3 hectares planted in 1900, on the northern foothills of the La Crau plateau. Its sandy soils, made up of Miocene sands and safres, contain very few stones. The second, Les Esqueirons, covers 1.13 hectares planted in 1949 on the western slope of the village hill, behind the château. It rests on colluvium and clay, within a Cretaceous limestone environment. The vineyard is farmed organically, with the use of biodynamic preparations.

The vintage

The year 2023 began with a long dry spell, with a steady mistral and cold weather. The vines nevertheless showed no sign of water stress, and flowering took place in good conditions. At the end of May, a storm brought heavy rainfall in some areas, along with a little hail. The June rains did not lead to downy mildew, thanks to regular treatments and the mistral. The summer was hot and dry, with some rain at the end of July. A heatwave set in during the second half of August, before rain at the end of the month brought temperatures down sharply. The grapes were juicy and thick-skinned, and the harvest was abundant. The harvest finished at the end of September.

Winemaking and ageing

For this red Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" 2023, both parcels are harvested at the same time. The grapes are sorted in the vineyard and taken to the cellar in 50 kg crates. They then pass over a sorting table before being destemmed and crushed. Fermentation takes place with native yeasts only. Maceration, with temperature control and daily pumping over, lasts a minimum of four weeks before pressing. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked, then generally aged in foudres or concrete tanks.

Grape varieties

Almost exclusively Grenache. The Charbonnières parcel contains 98% Grenache, with a few vines of other varieties including Mourvèdre, while Les Esqueirons is 100% Grenache.