Wine Advisor
La Barroche, Chateauneuf du Pape Pure Blanc 2021
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
All Clairette from the lieu-dit known as les Pialons (also known as le Pied Long), the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Pure Blanc boasts appealing aromas of honeycomb, white peaches and dried spices. It's medium to full-bodied, round and ripe on the palate, then finishes long and refreshing, marked by hints of lime zest.
Reviewed by: Nicolas Greinacher
Solely made from Clairette grown on a single parcel, the Pied-long lieu-dit, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Pure has the potential to be the best rendition of this cuvée to date. Barrel fermented and aged for 17 months in a combination of new and two-year old French oak barriques, it presents a fragrant perfume of spring flowers, acacia, candied lemon peel, fennel, flintstone, cedar, wet stones and a pinch of vanilla. The full-bodied palate shows great poise and tension, with fresh acidity neatly counterbalancing the elevated flavor concentration. Only 1,500 bottles produced.
About the Producer
A family-owned estate with fewer than 15 hectares of vines, Domaine La Barroche nevertheless features a variety of terroirs in the northern and north-eastern part of the appellation, reflecting the best in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The variety of soils, diverse grape varieties, and hundred year old vines make Domaine la Barroche stand out. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for its complex blend of grape varieties: 13 different ones! However, Grenache remains the most important, the soloist that provides focus to the entire symphony. Most of the Grenache vines were planted in the early 19th century and have been lovingly tended generation after generation. These vines are thus over a hundred years old and have produced several legendary vintages. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Clairette Blanche, and Vaccarèse are the main grape varieties grown on the estate. The soil at Domaine La Barroche is atypical, since nearly 80% of all plots have sandy topsoil and limestone much deeper down. As for the soil in the remaining part of the vineyard, this consists of red clay, river stones, and red sandstone whose colour is due to iron concretions. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is divided into a number of districts such as Le Pointu, Le Pialon, Le Tresquoi, Rayas, Palestor, etc. These divisions are more due to historical reasons than to similar terroir.
