M. Chapoutier : Barbe Rac 2021

A Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine with a seductive complexity and aromatic intensity

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 brought 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 has over 350 hectares of vineyards in the most prestigious appellations of the northern and southern Rhône Valley region.

The vineyard

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

The vintage

2021 is a vintage during which the shifting conditions between the northern and southern parts of the Rhône Valley revealed the nuances and richness of each of these fine terroirs. This vintage showcases an alluring finesse and its aromatic palette harmoniously blends complexity and elegance.

The blend

Grenache (100%).

M. Chapoutier’s Barbe Rac 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Nose

The nose opens up to fragrances of spices and graphite and reveals floral notes (blueberry), fruity notes (ripe red fruits) as well as the scent of cocoa and blood orange.

Palate

Tightly knit, the palate is seduced by this wine’s character and tannic structure. The finish blends aromas of marmalade with subtle notes of bay leaf.