2023 Charvin Cotes du Rhone Damon
Grape
Grenache with Syrah
Its Origins
“Charvin may indeed produce the Richebourg of Chateauneuf du Pape”, says Robert Parker. Domaine Charvin was created in 1851 by Guillaume Charvin. For over one hundred years, the harvest was sold in bulk to negociants in the region. The modern era began in 1990, when the young, energetic Laurent Charvin began to manage the estate. He was the sixth generation of his family to work at the property. 1990 was the first vintage for the Domaine in which they produced, bottled, and sold their own wine. Over the last 30yrs these have become one of the most highly regarded of all Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Charvin was Caro's very first agency, we've been importing these since we opened in 1995! Laurent still runs this small family estate located in the north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The Domaine has vineyard holdings of just 8 hectares in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and 13 hectares in Cotes du Rhone. The average age of his organically grown vineyards is over 50 years old, with the oldest being over 80 years of age. Laurent Charvin describes his vineyard site as being cool for Chateauneuf as their vines are mostly planted on sandy and rocky north facing slopes. Robert Parker described him as one of the softest spoken, yet reflective and hardworking people in Chateauneuf du Pape. His wines are consistently outstanding, and age extremely gracefully. In addition, Laurent also excels in the difficult vintages, which is common for vignerons who spend the majority of their time in the vineyards. Remaining staunchly in favor of only making a single cuvee, Laurent's Chateauneuf du Pape is always a rough blend of 85% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Vaccarese. He never destems and the wine sees absolutely no oak, aging 21 months in large concrete tanks and is unfined and unfiltered. These are beautiful elegant expressions of Chateauneuf du Pape, with a focus on freshness, supported by pure fruits and elegant silky textures. Compared to his peers at the top level, Laurent has always kept his prices well behind the market. Which has made us and Charvin lovers very happy!
What The Critics Say
Wine details
"A new 2.2ha plot for the domaine which came from relatives who managed to pursuade Laurent to purchase this old family plot which adjoins existing family vineyards at the top of the hill towards Mont-Redon right up to the treeline in the lieu-dit Maucoil. Planted 80 years ago by Elie who was Laurents grandfather, hence the line at the bottom of the label “Elie en revait…“ meaning Elie dreamed of it… This higher site slopes to the north so has a slightly cooler exposition and since 2021 has been in conversion to organic viticulture and planted with 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah with a tiny bit of Carignan on a “warm terroir” of clay with large galets roulee pudding stones. This cuvee is also 100% whole-bunch and is raised in concrete vats and is bottled 6 months earlier than the classic cuvee of Cotes du Rhone. This has deeper colour and shows brighter acidity so this cuvee is sufficiently different to warrant being given its own identity and own label."
91/100 JamesSuckling.com, Stuart Pigott
"Aromas of blackcurrants and chocolate. The balance on the generous medium- to full-bodied palate is quite Chateauneuf-like, but the finish is emphatically dry with fine, powdery tannins. The second vintage of this wine from a parcel recently regained by the winery. 80% grenache and 20% syrah from vines under conversion to organic viticulture. Drink or hold."
91/100 John Gilman (2022 vintage)
“The 2022 Côtes-du-Rhône “Damon” from Domaine Charvin is also an old vine cuvée. This parcel of vines lies next to the domaine and was planted by Laurent Charvin’s grandfather eighty years ago, but had been sold off to another producer and was only recently reacquired by the Charvin family a couple of years ago. The cépages is ninety percent grenache and ten percent a field blend of other grapes. The 2022 version offers up a deep, bright and complex nose of black raspberries, fruitcake, smoked meats, pepper, garrigue, stony soil tones and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, complex, full-bodied and really very nicely balanced for its hefty octane, with a superb core of old vine fruit, lovely soil undertow, ripe, well-integrated tannins and superb length and grip on the complex finish. This really drinks like a top flight Châteauneuf du Pape! 2030-2055.
| Variety | Grenache Syrah Mourvedre Blend |
|---|---|
| Region | Rhone Valley |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Maturity | 2025 - 2040 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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