Domaine Charvin
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
I’ve enjoyed the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for almost 20 years and, along with a few DOCG’s in Italy, it’s one of the regions I have the most experience with. That being said, I’ve become very judicious with my buying over the last 5 years or so, concentrating on a small handful of producers that I’ve naturally gravitated towards. Domaine Charvin is one of those. No destemming, aged in concrete, no luxury cuvée, modest pricing. They’re just so old school and I just love it. The 2017 Charvin Rouge pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, it’s initially a bit reticent but changes dramatically with about 15min of air at which point it begins to really strut. First with bruised strawberries and whole fields of garrigue. With a little more coaxing, ripe brambles, spiced meat, and lavender join the party. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins (which seem to build with air), medium acid and fairly high alcohol though it never felt like a hot mess. In fact, the wine is beautifully balanced with ample structure providing a foundation for the abundance of fruit: red and black brambly fruit, with Herb de Provence, espresso and a touch of leather and dark olive. The finish is long and satisfying. A lovely Charvin that should deliver in style well past 2030
I’ve enjoyed the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for almost 20 years and, along with a few DOCG’s in Italy, it’s one of the regions I have the most experience with. That being said, I’ve become very judicious with my buying over the last 5 years or so, concentrating on a small handful of producers that I’ve naturally gravitated towards. Domaine Charvin is one of those. No destemming, aged in concrete, no luxury cuvée, modest pricing. They’re just so old school and I just love it. The 2017 Charvin Rouge pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, it’s initially a bit reticent but changes dramatically with about 15min of air at which point it begins to really strut. First with bruised strawberries and whole fields of garrigue. With a little more coaxing, ripe brambles, spiced meat, and lavender join the party. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins (which seem to build with air), medium acid and fairly high alcohol though it never felt like a hot mess. In fact, the wine is beautifully balanced with ample structure providing a foundation for the abundance of fruit: red and black brambly fruit, with Herb de Provence, espresso and a touch of leather and dark olive. The finish is long and satisfying. A lovely Charvin that should deliver in style well past 2030
Sep 12th, 2022Nice aromas. Not clean. Coffee grounds, hints of Mercaptan.
Nice aromas. Not clean. Coffee grounds, hints of Mercaptan.
Jul 4th, 2020
Elegant, focused, finely tuned CNDP with layered aromatics and textural complexity. Raspberry coulis, crushed blackberries, juniper, exotic spices, some menthol from its whole cluster fermentation, iron, violet. Day two has led to more personality in the fruit with garrigue and pastille accents coming through, perhaps some hung meat emerging. The streak of iron throughout is captivating at the moment. This will be even more beautiful as it continues to develop in bottle.
Elegant, focused, finely tuned CNDP with layered aromatics and textural complexity. Raspberry coulis, crushed blackberries, juniper, exotic spices, some menthol from its whole cluster fermentation, iron, violet. Day two has led to more personality in the fruit with garrigue and pastille accents coming through, perhaps some hung meat emerging. The streak of iron throughout is captivating at the moment. This will be even more beautiful as it continues to develop in bottle.
May 30th, 2020
The 2017 Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape is taking its time opening up in the glass and remains youthfully poised throughout, showing a mix of crushed cherries and blackberries with violet florals and crushed stone minerality. Silky textures wash across the palate with spiced black fruits. There’s a fruit sweetness here that’s quite enjoyable, as saturating minerals and spice settle in, and grippy tannins make themselves known throughout the long finish. Although it’s the product of a warm vintage, the 2017 Charvin is built for the long haul. I almost regret opening it tonight, because it’s certainly too soon.
The 2017 Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape is taking its time opening up in the glass and remains youthfully poised throughout, showing a mix of crushed cherries and blackberries with violet florals and crushed stone minerality. Silky textures wash across the palate with spiced black fruits. There’s a fruit sweetness here that’s quite enjoyable, as saturating minerals and spice settle in, and grippy tannins make themselves known throughout the long finish. Although it’s the product of a warm vintage, the 2017 Charvin is built for the long haul. I almost regret opening it tonight, because it’s certainly too soon.
Apr 30th, 2020
Meaty and earthy blend. Excellent transitions throughout the sip.
Meaty and earthy blend. Excellent transitions throughout the sip.
Feb 13th, 2021
Beautifully structured and drinking great even in its youth. One that will certainly develop more with age but drinking wonderfully now. BlackBerry fruit and nice earthiness. Nice long finish.
Beautifully structured and drinking great even in its youth. One that will certainly develop more with age but drinking wonderfully now. BlackBerry fruit and nice earthiness. Nice long finish.
Jun 12th, 2020
It’s Rhone night! WOTN. Layers upon layers of complex black fruit, Moroccan spice, garrigue, and minerality. Evolves with each sip. The purity of fruit is amazing as no oak is used. Phenemonal and ageworthy. Cellar this! 2017 vintage on March 21, 2020
It’s Rhone night! WOTN. Layers upon layers of complex black fruit, Moroccan spice, garrigue, and minerality. Evolves with each sip. The purity of fruit is amazing as no oak is used. Phenemonal and ageworthy. Cellar this! 2017 vintage on March 21, 2020
Mar 22nd, 2020
