2022 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Julien Barrot is also beautiful. Based on 63% Grenache, 13% Mourvèdre, 11% Syrah, 7% Counoise, 5% Cinsault, and the rest Clairette Rose that was partially destemmed, its deeper ruby/plum hue is followed by terrific aromatics of ripe black cherries, sappy garrigue, licorice, and chalky minerality. It's not massive yet brings a beautiful sense of concentration and mid-palate depth, ripe, polished tannins, and just about flawless balance. A gorgeous 2022, it’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise over the following decade or more.

94 points jebdunnuck.com

Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a masterful blend that captures the full personality of this historic appellation through a modern, terroir-driven lens. Crafted by Julien Barrot, the domaine’s passionate and precise winemaker, this cuvée showcases fruit from over 15 vineyard parcels across the estate, including some old-vine sites on the famed La Crau plateau. It’s a wine of balance, power, and textural elegance.

The blend leans heavily on Grenache, supported by Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and a small addition of other permitted Rhône varieties. The winemaking is meticulous—whole-bunch fermentation, gentle extraction, and ageing in a mix of large foudres and concrete vats to allow the vineyard character to shine without oak influence.

On the nose, it’s an aromatic rush of black cherry, raspberry liqueur, crushed herbs, garrigue, and spiced plum, with hints of licorice and smoky earth. The palate is full-bodied yet graceful, with plush fruit framed by fine tannins and lifted by vibrant acidity. It’s generous but never heavy, offering complexity and length that linger with every sip.

This is a Châteauneuf that pairs beautifully with slow-roasted lamb, duck with fig glaze, venison, or hard aged cheeses. It’s impressive young with a decant, but has the structure and concentration to age 12 to 15 years with ease.