DOMAINE de la CHARBONNIÈRE CHÂTEAUNEUF-du-PAPE 2023

Domaine Charbonniere is a contender for the best value wine in Chateauneuf du Pape. Today, the fourth generation Veronique and Caroline have been working at the domain for some years and since 2014 they have taken over the management. Veronique has been responsible for the wine-making since 2007 with her father Michel still working at the domaine.

The property covers 18.5 ha of Chateauneuf du Pape, 4 ha of Vacqueyras, 2 ha of Cotes du Rhone and 3 ha of IGP. Since 2015 the vineyards have been certified agriculture biologique.

A generous but beautifully composed Châteauneuf-du-Pape, led by ripe cherry, strawberry and darker black-cherry fruit, with plenty of classic garrigue, cracked pepper and warm spice underneath. There’s a savoury edge of black tea, graphite and dried herbs, with touches of cedar, sandalwood and dark chocolate adding depth. Full and concentrated, but never heavy, with fine, slightly firm tannins giving the wine shape and freshness. The finish is long, spicy and polished, with that lovely contrast of sunny Rhône ripeness and herbal lift. Drinking very well, though it should become even more seamless with a few years in bottle.

Reviews for the 2022 vintage below…

93/100 JamesSuckling.com (2022 Vintage)
"A dense and focused blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre, offering aromas of sweet cherries, chocolate, warm spices and hints of dried herbs. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins that provide a caressing framework to the generous red fruit. Lovely lift of spice in the vivid, persistent finish."

92/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2022 Vintage)
"Rocking red fruit, peppery garrigue, sandalwood, and spring flower notes define the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape, a blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre. From a mix of terroirs and aged in mostly in concrete, as well as demi-muid, oak barrel, stainless steel, and foudre, it's medium-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a great finish. I love its sunny yet still fresh and vibrant profile, and it's perfect for drinking over the coming decade."

92/100 Wine Spectator (2022 Vintage)
"A sturdy, robust version, with an enticing gush of ripe fruit held together with black tea tannins and a finely crushed graphite layer. Shows a hint of tar on the polished finish, plus toasty cedar and vanilla details. A bitter dark chocolate note plays out on the substantial finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre."

91/100 Vinous (2022 Vintage)
"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape opens with spicy garrigue, ripe strawberry and black cherry aromas. With firm tannins providing solid structure, the full-bodied and concentrated 2022 needs at least two more years in a cool cellar to come together. A savory finale of good length rounds it up."