Domaine de la Charbonniere
Vacqueyras Cuvee Speciale
Domaine de la Charbonniere has always been deeply familial, with the fourth generation of the Maret family now in charge; the eldest daughter, Veronique Maret, took over winemaking responsibilities in 2007 and she and her sister Caroline have run operations since 2014 (though the entire family, including their mother, Mireille, and father, Michel, can still be found working hard in every aspect of the winemaking process). The estate covers 18.5 hectares of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 4 hectares of Vacqueyras (in Sarrians), 2 hectares of Cotes du Rhone, and 3 hectares of IGP. Veronique’s most notable influences at Domaine de la Charbonniere have been to update and modernize the winery itself while also more adamantly employing organic winemaking practices. She brings new perspective and energy to a traditional estate that will surely find itself in the spotlight in vintages to come.
Tasting Notes
Structured and intense, this Southern Rhone gem leads with intensity and finds balance on the palate with mid-palate extraction, concentration and mature tanninic structure.
Press
2016:
94 points - Antonio Galloni
92-94 points - Robert Parker
93 points - James Suckling
92 points - Wine Spectator
APPELLATION
Vacqueyras
VARIETAL
Grenache, Other
ABV
15.5%
PHILOSOPHY
Organic