Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2020
(Rhone Valley, France) - [WA 97-99] [JD 97] [VM 97] [WS 95] [JS 92]

About the Winery:

About the Wine:

Our Vieilles Vignes cuvée comes from two plots: Charbonnières: 2.32 ha planted with Grenache, but with a few other vines, including some Mourvèdre. It is located on the northern foothill of La Crau Plateau. According to the vineyard registry, the year of planting was 1900. Les Esqueirons: this 1.13 ha plot is behind the castle, on the west slope of the village hill, in the locality of Les Esqueirons. Both plots are harvested at the same time. The crop is first sorted at the vine, then taken to the cellar in 50 kg crates. It proceeds onto the sorting table, before being destemmed and crushed. No yeasts are added; we work with native yeasts. Maceration, with temperature control and daily pumping-over, lasts at least four weeks before pressing. After malolactic fermentations, the wine is racked off and then matured, generally in foudres or concrete vats.

• Cultivation method: Organic (ECOCERT certified)
• Grapes: Grenache (Charbonnières) (Les Esqueirons).
• Terroir: Colluvium (slope deposits) and safres (fine-grained sand) for Charbonnières. Colluvium and clay for Les Esqueirons.

Ratings & Reviews

97-99 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Still in foudre working through the last few grams of sugar when I tasted it in July 2022, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes showcases bold black-cherry fruit that virtually knocked this taster's head backwards. It's full-bodied on the palate, building in intensity and complexity on the lengthy finish, where notes of raspberries, star anise and garrigue merge seamlessly into the wine's supple, velvety texture." - Joe Czerwinski (Oct 2023)

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"One of the world’s greatest expressions of Grenache year-in and year-out, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is all varietal that was brought up in larger foudre. This cuvée comes from the Charbonnieres and Les Esqueirons lieux-dits, which are mostly more sandy soils. Its deeper purple color is followed by a concentrated, medium to full-bodied, powerful yet elegant Grenache offering ripe cherry and darker berry fruits, notes of ground pepper, garrigue, and licorice, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. Reminding me slightly of the 2006, which is drinking brilliantly today, it’s going to offer incredible pleasure over its lengthy life. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades." (Nov 2022)

97 Points - Vinous Media:
"A towering effort, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes soars from the glass with pristine crème de cassis, raspberry jam, black plum, scorched earth, incense, mint, exotic spice and white pepper aromas. The precision of the individual perfumes has a laser-like quality rarely seen in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Full-bodied and framed by ever-so-velvety tannins, it reaches a spherical dimension in the mouth. The recent adoption of 3,000-liter Austrian oak barrels beautifully contributed to the shape of this wine, giving it terrific poise and tension." - Nicolas Greinacher (Jun 2023)

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This has power and concentration to the graphite- and smoke-edged black fig and currant flavors, with a steely mineral undercurrent and charred aniseed. In spite of the decadent fruit profile, this has a nice framework and lovely salinity driving freshness and impressive length. A blockbuster red with staying power. Best from 2024 through 2035. 490 cases made, 120 cases imported." - KB (Feb 2023)

92 Points - James Suckling:
"Fruit invasion. Soft tannins and spiky acidity touching on VA. Herbal edges and notes of charred meat. This must be de-stemmed as it lacks the tannins associated with the Rhône, although the garrigue accents are unmistakably regional. A bit clunky. A yeoman. In your face. Drink or hold. Alkina Grenache Assembly tasting." (Sep 2023)