This Cotes du Rhone is one of the best, in a restrained and complex style. Charvin has closely managed vineyards with winemaking that's strictly old school, whole-bunch fermented in concrete vats that preserve the fruit purity and harmonious details of herbs, spice and earth. Charvin's Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a stellar wine and this is the same stuff from just down the road, minus the price tag. This exceptional red is a must-try for most palates.
"Charvin may indeed produce the Richebourg of Chateauneuf du Pape", says Robert Parker. 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.
92/100 Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com (2022 Vintage)
"A wealth of red fruit aromas are wrapped around an elegant core of fine tannins on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Excellent concentration and length for this appellation. So many delicate spice notes at the beautifully balanced finish A cuvee based on grenache. Bottled unfiltered."