2018 Domaine Roger Perrin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 375mL

76% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre, 3% Cinsault, 2% Clairette, 2% Counoise, and 2% Vaccarese. Hand harvested and partially destemmed. Vinification takes place in cement tanks over a period of 18-to-23 days. Certain lots of grapes are harvested separately, but generally two or three grapes are vinified together. 30-40% of the wine is raised in foudre, 40-50% in enamel-lined tanks, and 15-20% in new oak. The wines are blended after a year.

Full-bodied and robust, with a silky texture and well-integrated tannins. The palate features layers of dark fruit flavors, including blackberry, dark cherry, and blackcurrant, enhanced by savory notes of dried herbs, olive tapenade, and a touch of smoky minerality. A lively acidity balances the richness of the fruit, while the oak aging adds subtle flavors of vanilla, clove, and cocoa.

Vineyards have existed on the Roger Perrin property between Orange and Châteauneuf since the beginning of the 1900’s. However, the Domaine Roger Perrin was founded in 1969 when Roger Perrin took it over after his father-in-law’s retirement. Roger died unexpectedly during the harvest in 1986, and his son Luc took over the domaine. Luc had studied enology and done an apprenticeship at Château de Beaucastel, which is managed by another family named Perrin. Slowly Luc Perrin increased the quality at his domaine so that people began to recognize his name as a producer rather than mistakenly as one of the “Beaucastel Perrins.” The two families, although neighbors and friends, actually have no genetic ties. Perrin’s holdings include 40 hectares of vineyards, spread out over 70 different plots. While some of the vines are more than 100 years old, the average age of the vines is 60 years old and 85% of the vines are over 20 years of age. The Châteauneuf vines are planted on two types of soil: clay and limestone subsoil covered by the galets roulés (so familiar to anyone who has seen Châteauneuf vineyards), and a sandier soil which gives wines that show a little more aromatic and tannic finesse.

93 points, Wine Spectator. "This is brimming with dark cherry, currant and plum puree flavors, supported by dark licorice and sweet earth notes underneath, ending with streaks of bay leaf, tobacco and juniper through the finish. Best from 2023 through 2033."