Old Vine Grenache Vertical-94-95-98-01

[JamieBahrain]

If a New World Grenache I am sure the label would boast and advertise the contents being from 100yo material. There is no mention.

The wine was Chaouptier's Chateauneuf du Pape "Barbe Rac".The oldest grenache vines within the appellation-almost one hundred years.

1994 - Some bricking and fade in the wine. The nose had pleasant aged earthy/porty notes aswell as fresh spice and dark fruits. Medium bodied wine with a savoury palate. Pleasant morello cherry flavours are persistant in the finish along with a touch of warmth and clean, balanced acidity ( no extreme heat or confectionary raspiness that plagues some Australian examples in the finish).

The 94 is fully mature and food friendly. I had a couple of bottles. The wine is sold at cellar door.

1995- A brooding, dark wine with rich layers of licorice aromas and flavours. A full bodied wine with a silk like texture. A wine that is hummimg. Just starting to evolve, very youthful but built to go forever. The fruit is dark, layered and spicy.

It reminded me of a 95 Cullens in terms of the fact that it is a wine that is humming along and slowly unfolding. Aswell as being a few years from it's best. Had one bottle and wish I could get some to Aus'.

1998- Full bodied Grenache with glorious full aromas and flavours of black fruits, spices and earth. Length and persistance with balanced warmth and acid.

2001- A little riper than the 98. Again a full bodied monster with sweet black fruits and spice. The wine a bit of a meal but enjoyable.

I walked away with a magnum of the 98 & 01. The style seems to be evolving into the Parker domain- full flavours and 15.5%. It still has a degree of finesse.

I really enjoyed the wine. I love the ability to walk into a vineyard in France and be able to buy back vintages at a fair price.

I believe we can do a lot better with Chateauneuf du Pape style wines in Oz. I think Burge Family, so far, the standout.

[Guest]

If a New World Grenache I am sure would advertise and boast the fact on the label.

The wine was Chaouptier's Chateauneuf du Pape "Barbe Rac".The oldest grenache vines within the appelation-almost one hundred years.

1994 - Some bricking and fade in the wine. The nose had pleasant aged earthy/porty notes aswell as fresh spice and dark fruits. Medium bodied wine with a savoury palate. Pleasant morello cherry flavours are persistant in the finish along with a touch of warmth and clean, balanced acidity ( no extreme heat or confectionary raspiness that plagues some Australian examples in the finish).

The 94 is fully mature and food friendly. I had a couple of bottles. The wine is sold at cellar door.

1995- A brooding, dark wine with rich layers of licorice aromas and flavours. A full bodied wine with a silk like texture. A wine that is hummimg. Just starting to evolve, very youthful but built to go forever. The fruit is dark, layered and spicy.

It reminded me of a 95 Cullens in terms of the fact that it is a wine that is humming along and slowly unfolding. Aswell as being a few years from it's best. Had one bottle and wish I could get some to Aus'.

1998- Full bodied Grenache with glorious full aromas and flavours of black fruits, spices and earth. Length and persistance with balanced warmth and acid.

2001- A little riper than the 98. Again a full bodied monster with sweet black fruits and spice. The wine a bit of a meal but enjoyable.

I walked away with a magnum of the 98 & 01. The style seems to be evolving into the Parker domain- full flavours and 15.5%. It still has a degree of finesse.

I really enjoyed the wine. I love the ability to walk into a vineyard in France and be able to buy back vintages at a fair price.

I believe we can do a lot better with Chateauneuf du Pape style wines in Oz. I think Burge Family, so far, the standout.

How would you compare with Clarendon Hills ?

[JamieBahrain]

Great question and one I wish I could answer.

I have only had one bottle of Clarendon Hills Grenache. The 94 in about 00.

I feel Barbe Rac may be evolving toward a Parkerised style-98 & 01 a shave off 16% but the 94 13.5%.

There may be similarity between Clarendon and recent Barbe Racs.

I felt the finesse in the recent Barbe Rac was the hidden heat on the finish. Powerful wine, not for an empty stomach, but not the hot finish and back palate raspiness of some Australian styles.