Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf du Pape 2022

Domaine Charvin is a long-standing estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, led by Laurent Charvin, whose vineyards lie in one of the coolest parts of the appellation, which lends the wines an unusually fresh, classical line for the southern Rhône. This is a Grenache-led blend with Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan, grown on the region's galets roulés, the large rounded stones that store the day's heat and release it overnight, ripening Grenache fully while the cooler site holds acidity. Yields are low and the fruit concentrated. The wine is aged for 21 months in old oak, large neutral vessels that allow slow oxygen exchange to settle the tannins and develop savoury complexity without adding wood flavour, in the traditional Rhône manner. The colour is deep ruby. The nose is warm and layered, with ripe plum and black cherry over garrigue herbs, cracked pepper, liquorice and leather. The palate is full bodied and generous, the tannins ripe and the alcohol carried by fresh acidity and a stony, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead, or cellar it. It is made for roasts, stews and game.