2015 Domaine La Barroche, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Pure 1x750ml

Robert Parker 92

There’s no denying I love Grenache grown on sandy sites within the appellation, like the Domaine La Barroche 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Pure. It’s vinified in concrete and raised in foudre, so it should hit a home run with me. There’s tons of cherry fruit packed into this wine, a velvety texture…so what’s my issue with it? The heat. The alcohol shows through on the mid-palate and the finish. If you’re more tolerant of that in your table wines than I am, you’ll probably score it several points higher. As it is, I still wouldn’t turn a glass down if offered. [Joe Czerwinski, 09/05/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2017-2025

Vinous 93-95

(most of these vines are now over 115 years old; fermented in large concrete eggs and aged in a large older foudre) Lurid ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, cola, incense and potpourri, and a hint of smoky minerality emerges with air. Juicy, penetrating black raspberry, bitter cherry and lavender pastille flavors show superb depth and energy and stretch out to become sweeter on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and spicy lift on a long, sappy finish framed by velvety, slow-building tannins. For such a generous wine, there’s no lack of vivacity here. [Josh Raynolds, 01/03/2017]