Domaine la Barroche 'Julien Barrot Signature' Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France 2022

Domaine La Barroche, led by Julien Barrot, has become one of the most respected modern estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, blending traditional farming with thoughtful, low-intervention cellar work. The cuvée now named 'Julien Barrot'—formerly the estate’s “Signature” bottling—captures the breadth of the appellation through fruit sourced from multiple historic parcels. With many vines exceeding 70 years of age and a strong presence of sandy soils, the wine balances power with remarkable aromatic lift and finesse.

• WINEMAKER: Julien Barrot

• FARMING: Hand-harvested fruit; rigorous pruning, green harvesting, and leaf thinning to maintain low yields; careful vineyard and cellar sorting.

• VARIETY: 60% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 1% Vaccarèse, 2% assorted permitted varieties

• TERROIR: A mosaic of Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroirs including yellow and red sand, red clay, and galets roulés (large pebbles), with a notably high proportion of sandy soils. Fruit comes from parcels across Palestor, Bois Dauphin, Grand Pierre, Rayas, Pointu, Cabrières, Boursan, Pied Long, Les Mascaronnes, Le Parc, and Pierre à Feu. Many vines exceed 70 years of age, contributing depth and concentration.

• VINIFICATION: Hand harvested with sorting in the vineyard and cellar; underripe stems removed; partial destemming followed by fermentation with gentle extraction to preserve aromatic purity.

• AGING: Aged for approximately 20 months in tulip-shaped concrete tanks, large old oak casks, and 600-liter barrels; bottled without filtration.

• TASTING NOTES: Intense aromas of ripe black cherry and raspberry layered with licorice, violet, lavender, and garrigue; a deep, structured palate with polished tannins, savory spice, and a mineral-tinged finish. Concentrated yet balanced, showing both the power and aromatic finesse typical of sandy Châteauneuf sites.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Lamb shoulder with herbs, braised beef, wild game, duck confit, and Provençal stews.

• SCORES: 94 – Jeb Dunnuck; 92 – Vinous (Nicolas Greinacher); 91 – View From the Cellar (John Gilman)