Progress through tradition
Free tasting this afternoon 5-6pm: 2015 Domaine La Barroche with Laetitia Barrot
Since 1703 the stewardship of Domaine La Barroche has been handed down from generation to generation; Laetitia and Julien Barrot are the latest. They joined early this century, and have already made an important mark, having sacrificed a small plot of vines to make a new, more spacious and workable cellar in their vineyards. It's modern but not a spaceship (they're illegal in Chateauneuf* anyway); without bells and whistles but incredibly functional and efficient. A cellar one person can easily work. The stunning 2015 was the first vintage partially made here.
La Barroche has a range of plots below the village of Chateauneuf. Mostly the soil is sand and they aren't as reliant on Grenache as some producers. About a fifth of the vines are Mourvedre, and nearly 15% are Syrah. When we visited La Barroche the Chateauneuf was assembled in three tanks awaiting bottling which will be after Easter. The 2015 blend is 62% Grenache, 18% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah and the remainder Vaccarese, Cinsault and so on. They run a small crew and pick with 10 people who sort as they go, before two people on the tractor sort again and they sort once more at the cellar door. Detail, detail.
This afternoon we are delighted to welcome Laetitia Barrot for an informal hour between 5 and 6pm to chat about her wines and taste too. As well as a couple of 2015 cask samples we'll show a 2013. /CW
*A 1954 law forbids flying saucers/cigars from overflying or landing in the appellation. A prohibition unique in the world of wine.
'The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Signature is a blend of 62% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah and the rest Vaccarèse, Clairette Rose and Cinsault. Vinified all in concrete and aged in a combination of foudre, demi-muids and stainless steel, it offers a tight, grippy, medium to full-bodied and beautifully structured style, as well as classic notes of black raspberries, black cherries, crushed flowers and hints of crushed rock. I love its tension, purity and focus, and it has terrific length on the finish as well. 90-92 points' - Jeb Dunuck, robertparker.com, October 2016
Offered subject to remaining unsold; available autumn 2017
