Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge

Made from 61% Grenache, 18% 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