2020 Gerard Charvin Cote du Rhone Le Poutet Magnum 1.5L, Northern Rhone

Just a gem of a Côtes Du Rhône that shows both the vintage and the producer perfectly, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône Le Poutet reveals a medium ruby hue as well as a great perfume of sweet ripe strawberry fruits intermixed with sappy flowers, pepper, violets, and hints of garrigue. Possessing a medium-bodied, vibrant, taut mouthfeel, it's perfectly balanced, has the vintage's fresh, elegant style, and a great finish. You should buy a case of this, and it will keep for over a decade.

Located in the northwestern part of the appellation, Laurent Charvin pulls from vines in the lieux-dits of Maucoil, l’Arnesque, and Cabrieres. He releases a single Châteauneuf du Pape based on 80% Grenache and the balance Syrah, Mourvedre, Vaccarese, and Counoise, and the wine is not destemmed, and the aging occurs all in concrete tanks, with no contact with wood whatsoever. This is as pure and classic as it gets.

91 points jebdunnuck.com

'Charvin may indeed produce the Richebourg of Chateauneuf du Pape.'

Robert Parker Jnr, The Wine Advocate