Domaine La Boutiniere 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape, Les Crau Vieilles Vignes, Grande Reserve

Domaine La Boutiniere was founded in 1920 by Félix Vidal. This family-owned company is now run by fourth-generation winemaker, Frédéric Boutin, who has been the owner and winemaker since 1997. Domaine La Boutiniere has 27 acres of vineyards in eight different parcels within Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including the Crus of La Crau, Le Boucou, Coste Froid, and Roumiguière. Vines are an average of 70 years old and the wines are produced from all 13 grape varieties allowed in the Châteauneuf appellation.

This Cuvée Grande-Réserve Rouge is a plot selection of old vines planted in 1902 on the famous lieudit of “La Crau.” This parcel grows at an elevation of 394 feet above sea level on a sandy soils covered with large quartz pebbles called “Galets” over a red clay subsoil. The average age of the vines is 100 years.  Manual harvest with sorting in the vineyard and in the cellar. 80% is destemmed. The grape varieties are vinified separately in wooden vats, with pumping and load shedding, a maceration of 25–45 days, depending on the grape variety.

The blend is 78% Grenache, 16% Mourvèdre, 6% Syrah while the wine has been aged 20% in barrels and 80% in conical wooden vats for a period of 12 months.

Wine Spectator scored this 92 points saying "Ripe, with a core of gently mulled dark cherry and blackberry fruit gliding along, supported by anise, graphite and sweet spice notes that are well-imbedded through the finish. Nice late kick of fruit for the encore..."

Vinous scored this wine 92 points boasting "Ripe, spice accented dark berries, cherry cola, licorice, vanilla and a hint of smokiness on the deeply perfumed nose… Showing surprising energy… cherry preserve, blackberry and fruitcake flavors… Persistent finish, which echoes the cherry and spice notes."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored this 91 points saying "Herbal notes emerge on the nose, backed by bright raspberry fruit, while the palate is medium to full-bodied but quite taut and reserved. Ripe enough to be silky, the wine adds notes of blueberries on the smooth, easydrinking finish…"

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