DOMAINE DE LA CHARBONNIÈRE

Domaine de la Charbonnière has 12 hectares of prime vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 4.5 hectares in Vacqueyras. This is a top quality domaine making rich, succulent wines of great style. Michel Maret has now handed over the running of the property to his daughters. Véronique is the winemaker and sister Caroline is in charge of the office. The wines have always been superb but there is a new fresh elegance.

There are four different cuvées of Châteauneuf, each from different parcels of land. There is no destemming and vinification is traditional, in stainless steel and concrete vats, and open-top wooden fermenters. Elevage is in a mixture of new barriques, foudres and demi-muids.

The cuvée Vieilles Vignes is mainly Grenache from 80-year-old vines and sees at least 10% new barrique, the rest in foudres. The cuvée Mourre des Perdrix is a “lieu-dit” comprising 70% Grenache,15% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. It sees 10% new barrique and the rest in foudre. There are a variety of soils here to add complexity. The cuvée Hautes Brusquières is made up of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, all from the Brusquière plateau. The straight Châteauneuf is a blend of all other parcels –70% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. The Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc is now one of the best in the region, made from 40% Roussanne, 40% Grenache Blanc and 20% Clairette.

www.domainedelacharbonniere.com