Winemaker Notes
Intense garnet. Herbs, spices (licorice), chocolate, and fruits (strawberry) on the nose. Ample, fleshy, hot and round. Outstanding density with an impressive length.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A beautiful, harmonious red, salty and rich, with saucisson and grilled herbs infusing red currant and red brick dust on a round, mouthfilling palate. Warm mocha and lavender add to the complexity, with the stunning texture the star of the show. Offers leafy elegance and a refreshing kick of menthol on the finish. Excellent. Drink now through 2038.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A terrific success given the challenges of the vintage, Chapoutier's 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac—all Grenache, made without any oak—showcases cherries and raspberries, a delicate, silky feel and decent length and concentration. Fruit-forward and elegant, it's definitely one 2021 not to turn up your nose at—just don't expect to age it for more than about a decade.
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Vinous
Intense garrigue, licorice, black cherry and dried violets introduce the complex 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe-Rac. Full-bodied and fleshy, its 14.5% alcohol is neatly balanced by refreshing acidity. Despite the apparent richness and generosity, the 2021 is a remarkably tender Barbe-Rac, exuding ample elegance. The finish is long and spicy.
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Jeb Dunnuck
All Grenache that was 90% destemmed and raised mainly in concrete, beautiful wild strawberries, hints of framboise, loamy soil, spice, and subtle floral notes all define the aromatics of the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.