Domaine de Marcoux - Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2021 (Magnum)

Domaine de Marcoux was a pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming long before it was fashionable, which is now overseen by Catherine with assistance from Sophie’s son Vincent. They farm about 18 ha in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 8 ha in Lirac, and a little over 2 ha just north of Châteauneuf, where they make a lovely and nuanced Côtes-du-Rhône. There is a wide range of soil types from sandy soils in Charbonnières, to red clay and galets in L’Arnesque and Les Bouquets, to limestone and marl in Les Esquirons and Beaurenard, to red clay and gravel in Gallimardes, Les Serres, La Crau, and Les Plagnes. They grow Grenache primarily, with an average vine age of 50 years old, with smaller amounts of Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Clairette, and Grenache Blanc.

The Vieilles Vignes, a cuvée made entirely from old-vine Grenache, made in vintages where the Grenache is abundant, rich and complex. It is sourced from the sandy soils of Charbonnières (planted 1900) the limestone marl of Esquierons (planted 1900/1949) and the gravelly red clay of Gallimardes (planted 1934/1959). It is aged entirely in 350L barrels for 18 months. While more concentrated and structured than the regular cuvée, it still possesses the delicate floral and spice character that is the signature of this domaine. 

"This stunning, beautifully textured red is particularly impressive for the vintage, with cashmere-fine tannins supporting a rich display of cherry, mulled berry and linzer torte. There's lovely freshness too, with tension powered by a racy mineral vein and savory notes of grilled herbs, anise and menthol. This is firing on all cylinders, with a finish that stretches on and on. Best from 2025 through 2035. 340 cases made, 120 cases imported." - 96 Points, Wine Spectator

"Primarily from vines planted in 1900 in a sandy, north-facing portion of la Crau, Marcoux's 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes seamlessly marries dusty earth with scents of black cherries, licorice and garrigue. Only medium to full-bodied this year, it's silky and elegant, not overly tannic but wonderfully long and vibrant on the finish." - 94 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"From the Charbonnières and Les Esqueirons lieux-dits and just about all Grenache harvested at the end of September, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes was raised all in an older foudre. A gorgeous wine that makes the most of the vintage, it has a perfumed bouquet of black cherries, peppery herbs, spring flowers, and Provençal spices. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Châteauneuf with a wonderful sense of purity, fine, elegant tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This classic, balanced, seamless beauty is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage." - 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

Producer: Domaine de Marcoux

Country: France

Region: Rhône Valley

Varietal: Grenache

Appellation: Châteauneuf du Pape

Vintage: 2021

Size: 1.5L