2018 Domaine La Barroche Liberty [JD90-92][WA90]

Producer: Domaine La Barroche 
Region: France
Blend: 55% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, the rest Cinsault & Carignan 
Year: 2018 

Retail Price: $30.00 
Our Price: $19.99* 

Domaine La Barroche is a family estate passed down generation to generation since the 14th century.  Their Grenache vines are more than 100 years old and are some of the oldest to be found in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  Now headed by a brother and sister team, this small estate is relatively new to estate botting (they began in 2000).  La Barroche's style is modern in the best sense - clean, pure and brilliant.  They've refined their style to emphasize finesse over power and make the best of some very old vines and excellent sites.  La Barroche is one of the most dynamic estates in the region and have garnered much critical praise.  Decanter called them "one to watch".  Wine Advocate wrote, "Under the young and capable leadership of Laetitia and Julien Barrot, Domaine La Barroche represents a bright light in Chateauneuf-du-Pape."  Jeb Dunnuck stated, "One of the new superstars of the appellation, Julien Barrot’s Domaine la Barroche is fashioning some of the most singular wines in the world.”  He described Liberty as "tasting like a Chateauneuf-du-Pape ... Don’t let the Vin de France label sway you, this is the real deal."  The 2018 Domaine La Barroche Liberty is beautiful, elegant and charming.  It medium to full-bodied with a silky feel, good structure and character.  It's beautifully balanced with good acidity and elegant minerality.  This Rhone blend has notes of juicy blackberries, black cherries, violets, pepper and earthy meatiness.  It can compete with plenty of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  Enjoy!  

Jeb Dunnuck, 90-92 Points 

"Coming from very old vines and similar rocky, pebbly soils as La Crau in Châteauneuf Du Pape, the 2018 Vin de France Liberty is a beautiful, elegant wine that shows the soft, forward style of the vintage. Blackberries, violets, pepper, and some earthy meatiness all emerge from this medium-bodied, concentrated and elegant red. It's beautifully balanced and certainly competes with plenty of Châteauneuf Du Pape. Give it a year or two. The blend is 55% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault and Carignan that was all destemmed." 

Wine Advocate, 90 Points 

"Not as concentrated or muscular as the 2019, the 2018 Vin de France Liberty is silkier in feel and more elegant, with gentle black cherry and dried-spice notes. Medium to full-bodied, this charming Grenache-based blend should be consumed over the next 4–5 years." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"Liberty by La Barroche is a full-bodied wine with good structure, character and tight tannins. Its aromas are reminiscent of juicy, black raspberries, violets, and peppery herbs. It is mellow, yet has good acidity and elegant minerality. Liberty by La Barroche is a gastronomic wine with an ageing potential of several decades." 

Alcohol: 15% 

Organic 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Discounts do not apply to wines like this one currently on sale.