How can you become one of the promising new faces of a denomination at one of the oldest wine estates? The answer lies at Domaine la Barroche, a family estate that has been in the region since the 15th century, but was passed to the next generation in 2002 and since then it has brought a breath of fresh air to the AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Under the young and competent management of siblings Laetitia and Julien Barrot (pictured above), they have managed to make the most of their century-old Grenache vines and their wines are known as some of the best in the denomination.

Their Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape Julien Barrot wine is made from old vines planted on prestigious pebble and sandy soils and is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Vaccarese and a very small amount of other red varieties. They work very thoroughly and carefully in the vineyard, avoiding the use of chemical products that could damage the natural balance of the terroir, instead opting for organic and ecological treatments. Once the grapes are harvested and selected by hand, they are destemmed, crushed and vinified in underground concrete vats. The wine remains on the skins for more than 4 weeks and then ages in old oak barrels and 600 litre casks for approximately 18 months. Finally, the wine is bottled unfiltered.

A rising star of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Julien Barrot has created this entry-level wine, Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape Julien Barrot, which shows us how opulence and finesse can go hand in hand. An example of a wine that is rich but not too heavy.