Domaine de la Charbonniere 2016 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Mourre des Perdrix

Domaine de la Charbonnière was purchased by Eugene Maret in 1912. 100+ years later it is still a family-owned estate.  His daughter, the young and charismatic Veronique Maret is responsible for the recent meteoric rise of Charbonnière – Veronique is handling all winemaking activities. One of the most important changes Veronique made since taking over in 2012 was the move to organic viticulture. Organic farming has really started to make its mark on the finished wines. Domaine de la Charbonnière’s holdings spread over 68 acres in some of the region’s most sought after lieu dits – 49 of these in Châteauneuf du Pape.

This wine is from a single 22 acre parcel with unique soil composed of sands, pebbles and safres (compact sand). This type of soil gives a floral, fruity and supple wine, with blackberry and forest floor on the nose and a delightful silky palate. A blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre. Enormous care is taken at harvest time. It is done in a traditional method; hand-picked with a selective sorting of grapes in the vineyard and at the cellar (by using a sorting table). Vinification is done in oak vats with 25% whole clusters in this cuvée. The fermentation lasts 4 to 5 weeks. Aging continues in oak vats and in demi-muids.

This wine has received many rave reviews including for a barrel sample by Jeb Dunnuck. He scored it 94-96 and said "Slightly deeper colored, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Mourre des Perdrix comes from the sandy soils not far from the domaine and is 70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre. It's incredibly elegant and nuanced, with smoking notes of black raspberries, cherries, dried flowers, incense, and loamy soils aromas and flavors. Deep and silky, with beautiful purity, it has ripe tannin, no hard edges, and a great finish. It should be bottled by the time this report is published and is a candidate for the finest vintage of the cuvée to date."


Wine Spectator scored it 94 saying "Dark, featuring fig and blackberry preserve flavors, this delivers a dense and steeped feel but also throws off beguiling perfume, ending with warm anise, incense and black tea notes on the structured finish. Rock-solid. Best from 2022 through 2037."

James Suckling scored it 94 saying "Darker fruit makes for a compelling and flavorsome impression. Ripe, blood plums are laced with mocha oak on the nose and palate. Convincing and long. The purity of fruit seals the finish in style."

and Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 96 points with a Cellar Selection designation. They said "Intensely ripe layers of blackberry and cherry mingle into coffee, anise and earth in this deeply fruity yet nuanced wine. It’s full bodied and lusciously textured but framed by firm, gripping tannins that should meld better by 2021. Bold, explosive fruit is appealing now but should gain finesse through 2036 and likely hold further."