Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac Chapoutier 1989

Lot presentation

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac Chapoutier 1989

The wine

The Barbe Rac cuvée comes from vines as old as 90 planted in pebbly soil, characteristic of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The Grenache grapes are picked by hand and carefully sorted to preserve only the best fruit. Very sensitive to oxidation, this variety is vinified in concrete vats for three weeks. Only the free run juice is used for this single-parcel cuvée. What follows is a 16-month maturation in vats in order to refine the tannins and rest the wine. No wood is used in this process, the idea being to preserve all the freshness and delicacy of the wine. In the glass, this cuvée has an intense, garnet hue and its nose draws on notes of spice, strawberry and chocolate, all of which become more pronounced after a few years. On the palate, it is chewy and ample with exceptional length. It has an unbelievable potential for ageing, with some of the better vintages lasting up to 70 years.

Maison Chapoutier is without doubt one of the most prestigious names in the Rhône producing some of the finest Hermitage. The domain converted its 300 hectares of vines to biodynamic viticulture, making it the largest vineyard to adopt this method of cultivation. It has held certification since 1999. Chapoutier is often one of the last estates to harvest its grapes so that they are at optimal ripeness.The Chapoutier savoir faire has spread to other vineyards in other winemaking regions: Provence, Beaujolais, Roussillon, Champagne, Alsace, Portugal but also South Australia.
This family's winemaking journey started way back in 1806 but 1879 was a turning point when Polydor Chapoutier bought a few hectares of vines and started a negociant business. Seven generations have succeeded him, and Michel Chapoutier is currently at the helm, supported by his children Mathilde and Maxime. Together, they continue the family's story, all while highlighting Rhône's great terroirs.