Domaine Charvin 'Le Poutet' Cotes du Rhone 2018

Charvin are an incredible producer, with 20 hectares in and around Chateaneuf du Pape. They farm their vineyards organically, and take a very traditional approach in the cellar, trying to capture the power and elegance that the Southern Rhone can deliver. The effort goes in to managing vineyards well and not interfering in the cellar. Ageing is all in large, concrete tanks, with no oak influencing the wine.

The wine is ‘Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Le Poutet 2018’. It is from a 15-hectare vineyard just to the North West of the Chateauneuf border. It’s 80% Grenache with the rest made up of Mourvedre, Carignan, Shiraz and local variety Vaccarese. The vine age averages 60 years old, some are 90 years, and the soils are sandy (Grenache looooves sand) with some clay and the famous Chateauneuf pebbles ‘galets roules’. Considerable vine age on Grenache can tone down any intense, wild, juicy fruit, and add a warm spice, earthy character and a more mellow feel.

Charvin expresses what we think is best about Grenache grown in the Southern Rhone. You get the dark sweet fruits and richness that the warm and dry region offers, but it is wrapped up with a pure, elegant frame. There is some dry herb, meaty character and aniseed that is common in the best wines of this region. It’s a full-bodied wine but with length and elegance, but made for earlier drinking compared to the big brother Chateauneuf.