Wine Advisor
Charvin, Chateauneuf du Pape 2021
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
Always blended from a combination of stony and sandy sites, Charvin's 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape features classic aromas of ripe cherries and raspberries with herbal overtones. It's medium to full-bodied and supple, with ample length and some dusty tannins on the finish.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A textural, pure and precise red with aromas of cherries, forest berries, dried roses, wet stones and some mild spices. It's medium-bodied with finely grained tannins and fresh acidity, So much verve and class, with a bright red fruit character and a floral dimension to it. There are spices bringing energy and verve. It's infused yet intense, with a restrained character. Chiseled and refined, with a long, silky finish and a spicy accent. Unfiltered. Try after 2027.
Reviewed by: Nicolas Greinacher
The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a distinctively elegant offering from proprietor and winemaker Laurent Charvin. Delicate rose petals, blueberry, forest strawberry and raspberry aromas unfold, complemented by dried herb nuances. This 2021 red is concentrated and complex, although it does not reach the same levels as in 2020 or 2019. Medium to full-bodied and neatly balanced, it should already drink well from a young age.
About the Producer
Domaine Charvin was founded in 1851, but it wasn't until a century later, in 1951, that the first bottle of wine was bottled at Charvin, solely for private family use. It was only in 1990 that Laurent Charvin, the 6th generation heir of the estate, began selling wine under the Charvin label, with an annual production of just 8,000 bottles. The family owns approximately 8 hectares of vineyards in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region and an additional 16 hectares in other areas of the Rhone Valley. The average age of the grapevines is around 45 years. During the harvest, the grapes are sorted, and the wine is made using 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and the remainder being a blend of Mourvedre and Vaccarese. The grapes are lightly crushed and fermented in concrete vats without destemming. This very traditional winemaking process lasts for about three weeks for fermentation and maceration, followed by 18 months of maturation entirely in concrete vats. The wines produced by the estate are unfiltered, a bold move that sets them apart from other wineries. This approach results in pure and concentrated wines with flavors of black raspberry fruit and a sweet, deep, and layered mouthfeel. It is worth noting that Domaine Charvin is located north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, near Orange. The soils here are composed of clay and limestone, and their full potential has yet to be fully realized. The vineyards benefit from a relatively cool climate in the northern part of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Laurent Charvin follows the most traditional and primitive winemaking methods, without destemming, filtering, or the use of oak barrels. There are no secrets or embellishments, relying solely on old vines, low yields, and minimal human intervention to create wines that express the purest terroir of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
