Domaine de la Charbonnière, 'Cuvée Vieilles Vignes,' Châteauneuf du Pape, Rhône, France, 2022

Overview of the Wine
It was in 1912 that Eugene Maret bought Domaine de la Charbonniere as a gift for his wife who was a native of Chateauneuf and the daughter of a winemaker. Their son Fernand Maret inherited a part of the Domaine and enlarged it upon the birth of his son Michel.

Today Michel Maret had over 16 hectares of vineyards located in the high plateaux of Les Brusquieres and La Crau both covered with the famous cailloux roulets and at Mourre des Perdix, sandy soil dotted with larger stones.

The passion and know-how of the winemaker, handpicking of the fruit, and careful sorting at the winery enable Michel Maret to optimize all the promise of a great terrior.

The vinification at the Domaine follows the classic style: no destemming, and three weeks fermentation in stainless steel vats, after which the wine is aged in large oak fourdes for 12-18 months.

Winemaker
Véronique Maret

Grape / Blend
95% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre

Origin
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France

Tasting Notes
This cuvée boasts hints of licorice, dark fruits and balsamic notes. The mouth offers a great density with a very long finish. Serve around 16-18°C. If possible, consider decanting the wine.

95 Points - James Suckling
A spectacular, focused and fine-tuned Chateauneuf-du-Pape with sweet cherries, dried herbs, bay leaves and baking spices on the nose, following through to a full body with plush tannins. Structured and driven but agile, with berry freshness at the center and a flavorful, bright and lively finish. Drink or hold.

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
My favorite of the lineup, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes brings a beautiful floral character as well as ample wild strawberry and cherry fruit, medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins. As with the Mourre de Perdrix, it’s elegant and seamless, as well as concentrated, and brings a boatload of sweet fruit. The blend is 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre that’s from a mix of the Coudoulet, La Crau, and Cristia lieux-dits, brought up in demi-muid and concrete. Don't miss it.

95 Points - Vinous
The 2022 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes presents pronounced spice box, licorice, violet, strawberry, and cranberry notes. Deeply concentrated without veering into excess or over-ripeness, the 2022 frames distinctively grippy tannins that need at least five more years to integrate into the wine. There's no shortage of substance here.

Product size: 750ml