Domaine de la Solitude

This cuvée is a tribute to the founding fathers of Domaine de la Solitude, the Barberini (The Lançon family’s history at Domaine de la Solitude dates back to the 15th century, with 17th-century links to Tuscany and even the Popes (Barberini was the family name of Pope Urban VIII)). This wine is made from ancestral parcels of very old Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah vines. The Grenache grapes come from old vines planted on the high quaternary alluvium terraces surrounding the Estate. These terraces are the cradle of the famous terroirs of quartzite pudding rocks above clay, giving the Barberini cuvée terrific tannic and aromatic force. This wine is aged for 18 months, spending most of this time in barrels, supplying beautiful development and oak spice to the wine.

An explosive yet refined nose, bright and intense with mixed spiced, savoury, and fruity notes of several stripes—think raspberry, black pepper, clove, tobacco, violet, vanilla, and milk caramel. It is a firm and crunchy style with a big hit of sweet spice on the finish. Great purity of soul with a velvety texture, precision, and persistence. This is the elegant strength of Châteauneuf-du-Pape at its best. This wine, still in its youth, will of course go well with a variety of red meats such like dry aged beef rib, but also consider a tagine of lamb with apricots or duck breast with cherry or, in about ten years, do as they do at the domaine and serve it with a hare à la royale. Barberini Rouge is best enjoyed between 3 and 20 years after vintage. Serve at 16-18ºC.

94 WS, 97 Decanter, 96 JS, 94 JD, 93 Vinous