SOUTHERN RHÔNE, FRANCE

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2019 BY DOMAINE DE MARCOUX

As I prepare to head back to Europe this summer to spend time learning in Rhone, I am reminded of my trip in 2019 through the Rhone Valley and into Burgundy. Domaine de Marcoux was our ‘diamond in the rough’ discovery on that trip, and still the greatest find we have made in the Valley in over a decade. While visiting Pegau, Telegraphe and Rayas, we kept hearing their name as the next legend in the making. These remain among the most exciting wines we have tasted within the region, because they combine depth and power with the vibrant aromatics and freshness of the best of the Rhone. These wines are a bulletproof investment opportunity for your collection, a one-stop master’s degree in elite Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir, and most importantly, are devastatingly delicious.

“Marcoux’s are amongst the top wines of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.”

La Revue du Vin de France

Domaine de Marcoux is an ancient winemaking estate that has existed for over 700 years, but in the last 20 years they have catapulted into the forefront of the greatest growers. Their trick was simple, and is a hallmark of most of our producers. They began to focus on the vineyards, and were pioneers of Biodynamic viticulture in France. This type of farming gives the soils, the vines, and thus the resulting wines an extra dimension that always sets them above the rest.

This wine which I tasted from barrel earlier this year is drop dead gorgeous. As difficult as 2018 was as a vintage for the region, 2019 was a dream. With long, even ripening, Grenache excelled and for the first time since 2016 produced wines of weight, power and importantly, freshness. This is one of the best wines I tasted from the vintage.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY

“Over the last 12 years, this biodynamically farmed vineyard has risen to the top of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s quality hierarchy. The two red wines produced have been stunning, with the regular cuvée of Châteauneuf-du-Pape one of the finest in the appellation, and the limited production Cuvée Vieilles Vignes one of the world’s truly magnificent wines.” – Robert Parker

“Marcoux’s are amongst the top wines of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.” – La Revue du Vin de France

95 Points
Wine Enthusiast, May 2022

94 Points
Josh Raynolds, Vinous, August 2021

94 Points
Wine Spectator, February 2022

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2019 BY DOMAINE DE MARCOUX: CHARACTERISTICS

BODY /  STYLE / OAK / Medium-bodied / warm and spicy, earthy,  floral, fruity and mineral / oaked

SWEETNESS / Extra Dry

CELLARING / Drink now or cellar

BEST PAIRINGS / Cured Meat, Hard Cheese, Red Meat, Veal roasted

TASTING NOTE / “The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape showed beautifully, with a ripe, classic, Provençal bouquet of black raspberry, strawberries, and darker berry fruits as well as spice, garrigue, and pepper. Beautifully textured, full-bodied, yet all about finesse and elegance, it’s overflowing with character and charm. It’s going to shine for 15 years with no issues.”
– Jeb Dunnuck

A LITTLE HISTORY

The Armenier family is one of the oldest in all of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Their ancestors date back to 1344. It is clear that the Armani family – the name was changed to Armenier later on – already belonged to the original inhabitants when the city was founded in the 10th century. The founders of the winery derived its name – which was not officially introduced until 1989 – from the cadester entry of the same name for their grandfather’s wine cellar in the center of the city.

The first bottling of red wine took place in 1978, and of white wine in 1982. Since 1995, the two sisters Sophie Estevenin and Catherine Armenier have been directing the Domaine de Marcoux making their first vintage in ’96. They took over the winery from their brother Philippe, who left Europe without much ado and decided to found a biodynamic consulting firm for the winemakers in California’s Napa Valley. He was one of the first vintners in Châteauneuf-du-Pape to work with biological and biodynamical agriculture.

WINEONLINE.CA

Since 2004, WineOnline.ca has been fulfilling its goal to make quality wines more accessible to wine lovers. Satisfying our customers at every turn with the quality of our products and services is our primary goal.

WineOnline.ca provides its clients with the finest wines from the wine world’s most talented producers at the best value.