Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Barbe Rac, M. Chapoutier 2005

Tasting Colour : Intensive garnet, developing into ruby red. Nose : Complex and subtle, blackcurrant, plum, followed by roasted coffee, cinnamon, cherry, Morello cherry and liquorice. Mouth : Characteristic of the grape variety : a good presence of the tannins, extremely delicate ; ample, full-bodied, pulpy, warm and round.Very long in mouth. Sommelier tips All meats : marinated or in sauces. cheeses. Grape variety: 100% Grenache. Soil: Quaternary terrace, with a surface of rolled stones coming from the former bed of the Rhône. The parcel from which this cuvée is produced possesses a complex and varied geological composition, these are the oldest Châteauneuf du Pape vines in existence (about 90 years of age). Harvest: The grapes are carefully selected during the harvest. This selection is compulsory and permits the selection of the best grapes. Winemaking: In vats made of concrete covered with epoxy resin, because grenache is very sensitive to oxydation. The grapes are 100% destemmed before being placed in vats. Fermentation lasts about 3 weeks at a temperature which varies from 30 to 33°C. Maturing: 100% in steelless steel vats for 12 months, the same time in bottles.