
Tasting Notes
'Brilliant ruby-red. Powerful raspberry, floral pastille and Asian spice aromas show outstanding clarity and vivacity. Energetic flavors of red fruit preserves and lavender are given spine and definition by zesty minerality. The floral and red fruit notes carry strongly through a clinging, sharply focused finish framed by smooth, slow-building tannins. This wine is shaping up to be a classic Charvin rendition of Châteauneuf, displaying abundant upfront fruit along with the depth and balance to ensure a long, graceful evolution.' (94-95) points. - Josh Raynolds, April 2016.
Laurent Charvin runs this small family estate located in the north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The domaine has vineyard holdings of just 8 hectares in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and 13 hectares in Cotes du Rhone. The average age of the vineyards is over 50 years old with the oldest being nearly 80 years of age. Laurent Charvin describes his vineyard site as being cool for Chateauneuf as their vines are mostly planted on sandy north facing slopes.
'Charvin may indeed produce the Richebourg of Chateauneuf du Pape.' - Robert Parker Jnr.
Charvin produces finely styled Grenache based wines showing great depth and finesse (approximately 80% Grenache for each wine with small amounts of Vacaresse and Mourvedre as well as small amounts of Carignan and Bourboulenc for the Côtes du Rhône). Winemaking is traditional with no de-stemming and all ageing is done in cement tanks. No wood is used for the elevage of either wine. There are no secrets here, simply old vines, very low yields and minimal winemaking intervention. The Côtes du Rhône is regularly rated as one of the very best from this area. - Importer Note
Product Type | Wine Red Rhone Style Blends |
Vintage | 2014 |
Volume | 750ml |
Country | France |
Region | Rhone Valley |
Winemaking Practices | Conventional |
Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |