M. Chapoutier : Barbe Rac 2025

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for M. Chapoutier’s Barbe Rac 2025

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a deep, dense, and brilliant purple hue.

Nose
The nose opens with aromas of garrigue, interwoven with notes of orange peel and very ripe black fruits, with a subtle hint of graphite adding depth.

Palate
The attack is generous, giving way to a velvety, full-bodied palate. The tannins, both lively and refreshing, support flavors of marmalade, enhanced by sweet spices and a touch of bitter cocoa on the finish.

A velvety and vibrant great red wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

Founded in 1808 in Tain, the Maison M. Chapoutier is a leading reference in the Rhône Valley. Under the direction of Michel Chapoutier, who has led the estate since 1990, the entire vineyard has been converted to biodynamic farming. Today, the property spans 389 hectares. Renowned for its single-plot selections that faithfully reflect the uniqueness of each terroir, the house also stands out for its commitment to accessibility, notably through the use of Braille inscriptions on its bottles.

The vineyard

Located at the western edge of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, this cuvée comes from the lieu-dit Barbe d’Asne. The vineyard lies on a Quaternary terrace covered with rolled pebbles, capable of capturing heat during the day and releasing it back to the vines at night. At depth, the soil reveals a complex geological structure. The vines, planted around 1901, have deep root systems and naturally produce low yields, promoting high grape concentration.

The vintage

A vintage that began with a rather mild and very rainy winter, building good water reserves, followed by a prolonged cold period that delayed budburst and reduced the risk of frost. Spring, alternating between rain and sunshine, led to strong vegetative growth and increased vine pressure, with early flowering but few bunches. The summer was marked by two heatwaves and a hail episode in Crozes-Hermitage, causing some losses. Harvesting began early, from mid-August, and was spread out thanks to late August rains that refined ripeness

Winemaking and aging

After careful selection during harvest, the vinification of Barbe Rac 2024 is carried out in closed concrete tanks for approximately three weeks, with temperatures between 30 and 33 degrees. In pursuit of optimal quality, only free-run juice is used for this single-plot cuvée. Aging then continues exclusively in concrete tanks for 16 to 20 months, preserving the purity of the aromas without any oak influence.

Grape variety

M. Chapoutier’s Barbe Rac 2025 is made from 100% Grenache.