Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Barberini Blanc 2021

Accolades:
96/100 – Decanter
94/100 – James Suckling
94/100 – Jeb Dunnuck (2020 vintage)
94/100 – Wine Spectator (2020 vintage)
91/100 – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (2020 vintage)

“Quite introspective for now, mostly just the nutty oak showing itself on the nose. Distinctly savoury, dry and medium-bodied palate. There’s plenty of extract, giving it a saline impression on the very long finish, where flavours of cinnamon spice, apple and quince intermingle. A good sense of finesse, this could be exceptional in time. Grown on sandy soils and aged in new barriques.” – Matt Walls, Decanter

“Stacks of candied citrus, anise, smoke and vanilla with hints of yoghurt and Mediterranean herbs. Powerful, concentrated and crisp with quite a bit of smoky oak. This complex, full-bodied dry white is just beginning to show what it’s got. Very limited production. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.” – James Suckling

Tasting Notes: Complex nose of peach flower, brioche, and oriental pastries. Elegant, rich palate, dominated by citrus marmalade and peach, with a long finish balanced by mineral notes. Excellent as an aperitif when young. Pair with Brouillade with truffles, pan-fried foie gras, American lobster, brandade of cod with truffles, veal with cream and morels, roquefort.

Winemaking: Sorting before Champagne-typed gentle pressing. Fermentation at 20°C in new barrels for Roussanne, in one-year old barrels for white Grenache and in tank for Clairette. Malolactic fermentation is carried out on the Roussanne. About 80% of this wine is age in barrels, on fine lees, with stirring, for 10 months. Stabilization of 6 months in bottles before marketing.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Variety: Roussanne blend

Region: Chateauneuf-de-pape AOC, France