M. Chapoutier : Barbe Rac 2020

The richness and expression of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine

The estate

Established since 1808 in Tain-L'Hermitage, M. Chapoutier is an elite reference among fine Rhône Valley wines today.

Winemaker and wine merchant, Michel Chapoutier has successfully elevated this family-owned business to the very top. The wines by Maison Chapoutier are renowned by the finest connoisseurs from all around the world for their refinement and high quality. A man of many talents, Michel Chapoutier holds the world record for 100/100 scores awarded by the American critic, Robert Parker. Mathilde, Michel Chapoutier's daughter, has taken over the running of this iconic house, which comprises over 350 hectares of vineyards in the most prestigious appellations of the northern and southern Rhône Valley region.

The vineyard

Chapoutier's Barbe Rac is a Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine made from a rigorous selection of parcels. The vines are 90 years old on average, and are planted on a plot with a complex geology, consisting of rolled pebbles from the former bed of the Rhône river.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes are meticulously sorted during the harvest. Vinification in closed concrete vats. Vatting lasts approximately 3 weeks. Exclusive use of the run-off wine. Aged in vats for 16 months.

The blend

Grenache (100%).

M. Chapoutier’s Barbe Rac 2020: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

The colour is an intense garnet.

Nose

The nose reveals a rich and complex aromatic palette, blending herbal and spicy fragrances (liquorice) with chocolate and fruit notes (strawberry).

Palate

Ample and full-bodied, the palate is seduced by this wine’s roundness, its density as well as its rare and lingering finish.