DOMAINE CHARVIN
Gerard Charvin and his son, Laurent, represent the quintessence of the small domaine/father and son team. They have only 8 ha. of Chateauneuf du Pape, and half of that they sell off to negociants, keeping only the best lots for the Chateauneuf of Domaine Charvin. What goes into their Chateauneuf is about 82% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre, Syrah, and Vaccarese from their vines averaging about 50 years of age (the oldest being 70 years). Together they combine the experience and patience of Gerard with the wine making brilliance of Laurent, now regarded as one of the top wine-makers in the appellation by Guy Julien, famous owner of the restaurant Beaugraviere in Mondragon and assembler of its unequalled Rhone list.
Words that come to mind in describing the style of Charvin’s wine would include at the top, silky, velvety, and smooth. There are no harsh or dry tannins and they are always impeccably balanced. Descriptors that Robert Parker uses also include seductive, sexy, smoky, blackberry, cherry, hedonistic, flamboyant and blockbuster. These are indeed some of the best examples of the appellation and represent a very unique and extraordinary style that is immediately recognizable, and thus literally an artistic expression.
One of Chateauneuf du Pape’s young turks is Laurent Charvin, who represents the sixth generation of the family to run this estate (which was founded in 1851). Prior to 1990, the entire production was sold to negociants, but the estate-bottled production has gradually risen as consumers have recognized the quality in the bottle (which to me has always come close to what was produced at Chateau Rayas under the late Jacques Reynaud). It is a small estate, with a production of approximately 2,500 cases from their 20 acres of vines, all located in the northern tier of the appellation, next to the grand estate of Maucoil. - The Wine Advocate #185, Oct. 2009
Wines Offered
Domaine Charvin Vin de Pays de la Principaute d'Orange A Cote 2008 BUY »
Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Le Poutet 2008 BUY »
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2001 - WS 96 points, WA 95 points BUY »
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2001 1.5-Liter - WS 96 points, WA 95 points BUY »
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2003 - WS 96 points, WA 93 points BUY »
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2003 1.5-Liter - WS 96 points, WA 93 points BUY »
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2004 - WS 92 points, WA 90 points BUY »
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2007 - WA 97 points BUY »
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2008 - WA 90 points, IWC 92 points BUY »
