Domaine de Marcoux - Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2022

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

A historic landmark of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this iconic estate was long led by the Armenier sisters, who elevated it to the pinnacle of the appellation. Today, it is Vincent Estevin, Sophie’s son, who carries on the family legacy with the same high standards. Biodynamic farming remains at the heart of the estate’s approach, with meticulous care given to every plot in the vineyard. The lineup centers on four cuvées: a fresh Côtes-du-Rhône, a full-bodied and structured white, and two reds with strong personalities. The “Vieilles Vignes” cuvée impresses with its restrained power and masterful balance, while the “Tradition” cuvée continues to stand as the flagship of this exemplary estate, which shines through the precision, depth, and energy of these great terroir-driven wines.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

This year, Sophie Armenier produced only one vintage, incorporating old vines into this blend. However, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine de Marcoux reveals a deep and complex bouquet of spices, chocolate, dark wild berries, and garrigue, complemented by delicate notes of tapenade. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, round, and concentrated, it is rich without being heavy, with a fleshy core of fruit, a soft and enveloping mid-palate, and a long, briny finish. Given the challenges posed by the vintage—particularly the severe downy mildew in the vineyard that affected yields—this wine is a great success. Bravo! It is a blend of 85% Grenache Noir and a mix of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault, all aged in a combination of large oak vats, concrete tanks, barrels, and amphorae.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Led by Sophie Armenier and Vincent Estevenin, the Marcoux estate has established itself at the pinnacle of the appellation. The wines possess a rare natural character and depth, along with energy and power on the palate that are not the result of any artificial aging techniques. These great, classic wines, marked by the character of ripe Grenache grapes, age beautifully. Despite high levels of ripeness, all the vintages have found their balance and appear less warm than in the past; they have gained in minerality and salinity.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an excellent example of the vintage and displays a lovely, fragrant style that is incredibly Provençal in its aromas and flavors of red fruits, savory garrigue, spices, and pepper. With medium-bodied richness, a balanced and elegant palate, and ripe tannins, it’s already a pleasure to drink today, but given its balance and the quality of its tannins, it will shine for 10 to 15 years if stored properly. The blend consists of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 7% Syrah, and 3% Cinsault, vinified entirely in concrete and aged almost entirely in concrete tanks. There are no old vines in this vintage due to hail and low yields caused by drought. I therefore suspect that this cuvée benefited from the inclusion of truly excellent fruit that would normally have been used for the Vieilles Vignes. It is one of the best classic cuvées I can recall, and it deserves to be on your list of must-buys.