Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge AOC 2019

A red wine of enormous density that holds together richness and finesse. The nose releases black figs, wild blackberries, sweet raspberries and blood orange, followed by violet, Provençal herbs, fresh leather, pepper and berries steeped in alcohol. With air in the glass, it opens up more and more, deep and pure.

The Armenier family farms 18 hectares across 13 parcels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape: the famous rolled pebbles over a clay-rich subsoil that retains water well, alongside reddish sandstone soil, colluvial sediments and Cretaceous limestone soils that give the wine tension. As early as the 1344 tax register, the Armeniers are listed as winegrowers. Today, Sophie Armenier and her son Vincent Estevenin run the Domaine, biodynamic since 1990.

Grenache Noir dominates by far, complemented by Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Grapes are hand-picked at optimal ripeness, which varies from parcel to parcel and by variety; each bunch passes through three checks. Once destemmed, crushed and cooled, the berries wait in tank until the natural yeasts kick in. Daily pump-overs drive extraction at first, and the mash sits for four to five weeks. Ageing takes 18 months in concrete tanks, complemented by a few foudres and older 350-litre barrels.

Immediately full in the mouth, velvety in texture, with great richness and concentration, yet without aggression or heaviness. Sweet, opulent red berry fruit fills the mouth, the tannins are ripe and enveloped, accompanied by a hint of cocoa. Fine-grained structure, minerality and long persistence.

Tian de légumes à la provençale, wild boar terrine with black truffles or Gardiane de Taureau, the bull stew served with rice from the Camargue.

Biodynamic practice since 1990, among the first estates in the region to adopt it. Made dry, 16.0% vol., with excellent ageing potential.