Domaine Charvin, Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2020, [Pre-Arrival]

97 points James Suckling
"This great Chateauneuf combines the richness of the vintage with remarkable precision and vitality. Stacks of ripe damson plum, licorice and candied orange. Great tannin structure and lots of power on the full-bodied palate, with bitter chocolate and a stony character that builds at the very long, super-focused finish."

95 points Decanter
"Little herbal note to the fruit bringing some complexity, this is saline, light, fresh, fluid and drinkable. Plenty of texture and interest to the fruit, with really searching tannins. Needs time to come round, will be elegant and charming when it does. Fruit, structure, fragrance and energy - it's got the lot. Very Charvin. Organically grown in the northwest of the appellation, in lieux-dits Cabrières and Maucoil where there's galets roulés and sand. It's fermented and then aged for 21 months in concrete using indigenous yeasts, then bottled unfiltered."

94 points Jeb Dunnuck
"Another beautiful wine from Laurent, his 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a classic blend of 82% Grenache, 5% each of Syrah and Mourvedre, and the rest Vaccarese and Counoise, all from the northern part of the appellation, aged in tank. Perfumed red fruits, rose petals, spice, and sappy, peppery garrigue all flow to a medium to full-bodied, seamless 2020 with silky tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. It needs 3-5 years in the cellar to hit the early stages of its drink window, where it should keep nicely for over a decade."

94 points Vinous
"A blend of 82% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and equal proportions of Vaccarèse and Counoise, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape spent 21 months in concrete vats. The result is a vibrant red wine, bursting with precise aromas of ripe red fruits, blackberry, licorice as well as hints of dried thyme and lavender. Full-bodied, rich and layered, it is flawlessly balanced by fresh acidity and ends with good persistence on the savory finish."

Vinous Reverie Notes
Laurent Charvin's Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a rare gem of the appellation. With only 10 hectares of vines in the northwest part of the region, Laurent is one of the few remaining winemakers who still practices traditional whole-cluster fermentations, leaving the stems intact during the process. In addition, Laurent's élevage is uniquely carried out in concrete tanks, with no oak barrels used in the aging process. This results in a wine that is both elegant and seamless, with a distinct earthy tone and peppery scent. This cuvee is made from vines primarily located in Cabrieres, Maucoil and Mont Redon. The winemaking process is staunchly traditional, with no destemming and fermentation and aging occurring all in concrete tanks for 21 months. The wine is then bottled unfiltered, preserving its natural character and flavor. With a bold, savory flavor, this wine is perfect for aging for up to 20 years from any vintage. However, it is also accessible when young with just a little breathing.