2014 Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pure, Southern Rhone

97% Grenache and 3% other varieties from a single plot of 100 year old vines on sandy soil at the junction of the Rayas, Grand Pierre and Pointu lieu dits. Partially destemmed to remove under-ripe stems only, fermented in underground concrete vats with gentle extraction over 4 weeks, followed by 18 months maturation in one old foudre. Bottled unfiltered.

 Bright violet. Highly fragrant raspberry, boysenberry, floral pastille and Asian spice scents show excellent clarity and pick up a smoky mineral quality with air. Deeply concentrated but shockingly lithe red and dark berry flavors reach every corner of the palate and show no rough edges. Candied lavender and spicecake qualities emerge on an impressively long, focused and subtly tannic finish that emphatically echoes the blue fruit note.

93-95 points Josh Raynolds vinous.com April 2016