Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge AOC 2020 1500ml Magnum

A classically styled Châteauneuf-du-Pape in medium crimson, whose 15.5% ABV shows not as power but as warmth on the finish. Transparent and clear, with fine-grained silkiness and great length.

Domaine de Marcoux farms 18 hectares across seven terroirs of the appellation, and this cuvée is drawn from 13 parcels: quartzite pebbles, clay, red sandstone, colluvium and Barremian cretaceous limestone. The Armenier family already appears as winegrowers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape's tax registers in 1344. Today Sophie Armenier and her son Vincent Estevenin run the estate, which has been farmed biodynamically since 1990.

Generally 80 percent Grenache, 10 percent Mourvèdre, 7 percent Syrah and 3 percent Cinsault; the proportions shift from year to year. Hand harvest, pre-sorting in the vineyard, transport in 50-kilo crates, then the sorting table in the cellar. Fermentation starts spontaneously and runs at controlled temperature, with maceration lasting four to five weeks and daily pump-overs. Ageing over 18 months, largely in concrete, complemented by multi-vintage foudres and barriques.

The nose offers violet and anise, a touch of pepper and garrigue, alongside juicy dark raspberries, black cherries and blackberries, with a bouquet garni and crushed stone in the background. The palate follows with red and dark fruit, a distinct liquorice note from the high Grenache share, and a hint of garrigue.

Bœuf à la Gardiane, beef braised with oranges and olives. Paella with chorizo, merguez and garlic sausage. Or a soup of yellow split peas, chickpeas and lentils with fresh thyme.

Between the tight rows of old Grenache gobelet vines, Vincent Estevenin works with a Saint-Chamond tracked tractor. Bottled in the 1500-millilitre magnum.