The wine from Domaine Barville, Laurent Brotte’s family estate that bears the name of the ancestors whose surname was Barville, is famed for its balance, elegance and capacity for ageing. Domaine Barville 2020 reflects the more advanced vinification methods used for its production, particularly the gentler handling of the grapes. This vintage’s roundness and freshness are exceptional.

Appearance – Ruby hue with slight purple tints.

Nose – Powerful and complex. The nose is pleasant with aromas of fresh red fruit, pepper and mint. Raspberry predominates and is followed by an aromatic, floral nose.

Palate – The wine is surprisingly round given its young age, with a lot of softness and freshness creating an elegant fruit. The Syrahs exude aromas of blackberries, white pepper and hints of mint. The Grenaches bring fresh raspberry aromas and hints of fresh ginger. The texture is remarkably broad and velvety.

LOCATION

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, located between Orange and Avignon. Domaine Barville Red comes from a 15-hectare vineyard.

TERROIR

Domaine Barville has about 15 hectares, made up of 7 plots located on two of the oldest and finest terroirs in the west of the AOC: red clay and pebbles in the “Pradel” lieu-dit and fragmented limestone in the “Beaurenard” lieu-dit.  The very hot climate and excellent exposure facilitate the ripening and concentration of the grapes.

VINIFICATION & AGEING

Each grape variety is picked separately by hand and transported quickly in small crates to prevent the grapes from crushing and oxidising.  We started handling the grapes even more carefully from the 2020 vintage. The wine is aged in French oak barrels (1/3 new, 1/3 used for one fill, 1/3 used for two fills) for the tannic Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache wines, while the softer Grenache wines are aged in concrete tanks and 100-year-old oak foudres to preserve the fruit. The wine is bottled in the March after over a year of ageing and a light filtration.

SERVING

Serve at 17°C.  Open 2 hours before serving.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Enjoy this wine now paired with a grilled rib of beef, a beef tartar with a Béarnaise sauce, a terrine of hare with pepper and, after a few years of ageing, with a truffled fattened chicken, slow-roasted lamb, Avignon-style daube or soft chocolate cake.

Name: Domaine Barville

Brand: Brotte – Domaines & Château

Classification: AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Type: Red

Region: Rhône Valley (France)

Grape Varieties: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre