Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Chateauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Glistening ruby. Expansive, mineral-accented raspberry, cherry liqueur, exotic spice and licorice aromas show outstanding delineation. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering impressively concentrated red/blue fruit, floral pastille, spicecake and cola flavors that stain the palate. Shows outstanding energy and supple texture on a wonderfully long, floral- and spice-driven finish shaped by polished, even tannins.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
Where to begin with the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac? For starters, there's the nose, as pure an expression of red raspberries as you're likely to find in wine. It's supremely supple on the full-bodied palate, with ample concentration and ripeness, yet on the finish, there's a worrying note of bitter greens. If that can be managed during élevage, this could be something special.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac has turned out beautifully. Stunning aromas of red raspberries and black cherries, crushed stone and even a hint of roses emerge on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is expansive and silky, ending in a flurry of gently dusty tannins that only further accentuate this wine's fruity depths. Although approachable now, it should drink well for more than a decade.
About the Producer
Founded in 1808, M. Chapoutier owns 175 hectares of vines in five appellations in the Rhone Valley and is now run by the energetic and brilliant Michel Chapoutier. Since Michel started running the estate, the quality of the winemaking has improved very quickly and the philosophy of winemaking has changed considerably. Michel Chapoutier's achievements caused an instant sensation in the winemaking world and he completely changed the way Chapoutier wines were made and the winemaking process, eventually making wines to rival those made by Marcel Guigal, one of the best winemakers in the Rhone Valley. The vineyards of Château Sapoutier range from the Rhone Valley to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a number of quality vineyards planted with Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne and other major grape varieties. The winery is "mono-varietal" (i.e. making wines from a single variety), for example, all Syrah for the Châteauneuf-du-Rotie wines, all Marsanne for the Hermitage whites and all Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. The wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape are all Grenache. Château Sapoutier has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of its wines, even though each single vineyard produces far more than the 500 cases of fine wine. Since 1989, Château Sapoutier has been using biodynamic farming and winemaking methods with the aim of producing wines that are the purest and closest to the natural terroir. Every decision, every step of the viticultural and winemaking process is designed to add to the terroir, varietal character and vintage identity of the wines. Only wild yeasts are used for fermentation and the wines are made in small oak barrels. The best red and white wines are not clarified or filtered before bottling.
