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2005 Marcoux Chateauneuf Du Pape VV

2005 Marcoux Chateauneuf Du Pape VV

98 JD

Featured Review
Certainly one of the top wines of the vintage, the 2005 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, always from the La Crau, Gallimards, and Esquirons vineyards and aged almost all in tank, sports brilliant, profound aromatics of blackberry liqueur, beef blood, iron, crushed flowers, bakers chocolate, and searing minerality. Needing air to show all it has, this starts out tight and reserved, but blossoms with an hour or two of air. Full bodied and beautifully fresh and pure, with a rich, layered texture, solid acidity, and a blockbuster finish, this awesome wine needs another 5 years in the cellar, at which point it will most likely drink well for two decades. Straight-up gorgeous and this is worth the effort to track down. Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JD

Critic Reviews

Certainly one of the top wines of the vintage, the 2005 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, always from the La Crau, Gallimards, and Esquirons vineyards and aged almost all in tank, sports brilliant, profound aromatics of blackberry liqueur, beef blood, iron, crushed flowers, bakers chocolate, and searing minerality. Needing air to show all it has, this starts out tight and reserved, but blossoms with an hour or two of air. Full bodied and beautifully fresh and pure, with a rich, layered texture, solid acidity, and a blockbuster finish, this awesome wine needs another 5 years in the cellar, at which point it will most likely drink well for two decades. Straight-up gorgeous and this is worth the effort to track down.

Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JD
Utterly profound, the dense ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (16.7% natural alcohol) is a blockbuster. Full-bodied with great intensity, superb richness, and tremendous floral, truffle, meaty, raspberry, and blackberry-scented aromas, this wine, which comes from three well-known parcels in Chateauneuf du Pape (La Crau, Gallimards, and Esquirons) exhibits high tannin and good acidity, but the massive fruit and richness from these old vines dominate the wine’s personality. Although it is tasting profound at present, shrewd buyers will give it 4-5 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following two decades.

This brilliant estate in the northern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape is admirably run by Sophie and Catherine Armenier. They continue to fine tune the wines produced at this biodynamically farmed vineyard, and their white Chateauneuf du Pape is now one of the three or four finest of the appellation. Sadly, they only make about 4,000 bottles of this blend of 66% Roussanne and 34% Bourboulenc.

Robert Parker | 97 RP
Dark red. Suave, room-filling aromas evoke red fruits, lavender, rose, minerals and pungent herbs. Overwhelms the palate with sweet raspberry, cherry, cassis and floral pastille flavors, picking up silky tannins with air. Gains power on the finish, which displays uncanny depth and clarity. A stunner.

Vinous Media | 97 VM
Lush and inviting, with mocha, raspberry, fruitcake and incense notes that run along a rich, velvety texture. The long, structured finish is really ripe and well-rounded and should gain further depth with cellaring. Best from 2008 through 2030. 332 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 95 WS

Wine Details for 2005 Marcoux Chateauneuf Du Pape VV

Type of Wine Chateauneuf du Pape : You can expect Chateauneuf-du-Pape reds selection to wash over you with a combination of leather, game, tar, and delicious dried herbs, creating a spice mixture that commands respect from even the harshest non-believers. Chateauneuf-du-Pape whites are ever so refreshing and bold, frolicking in a field of floral notes and earthy minerals.
Varietal Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.

Country France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world.



For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide.



France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity.



France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.



With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.


Region Rhone : While the Northern Rhone produces only about 5% of all wine coming out of the Rhone Valley, the quality of these bottles is not to be underestimated. The terroir in this region is heavenly for growing Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne or Rousanne - the only permitted grapes in the AOC. Picture this - the Rhone flows through the valley like an azure thread piercing the landscape, a reflection of the dreamy skies hovering above the vineyards, ready to produce rainfall at a moment's notice. The rocky soil of the steep, almost surreal hillsides provides a bountiful feast for the grapevine roots. The flavors and texture of Northern Rhone wines tell you everything you need to know as soon as your lips touch the elixir, like a whisper in the vigorous valley winds

As per the Southern Rhone wine, it is like taking a plunge into a whirlpool of juicy flavor. Every sip explodes forward like a crashing tsunami, bathing your tastebuds in delicious aromas of prune, chocolate, grass, and black fruit. The wines are so compelling that it can be hard to drink them casually at a social event without getting lost in their intricate textures and emotional depths. Let's set sail together, and drink deep from these luxurious bottles with our friends and loved ones.

Overview

Producer Domaine De Marcoux : For a relatively young producer to earn high praise is a well-earned achievement. To earn critical acclaim from one of the world’s greatest professional tasters is outstanding. Especially when that critic is Robert Parker and the region in which the wines are produced is Southern Rhone where some of the greatest winemakers and growers devote their lives to perfecting their trade. Domaine De Marcoux is a youngster amidst renowned producers that have been in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape for centuries but as Parker states, “…the biodynamically farmed vineyard has risen to the top of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape’s quality hierarchy. The two red wines produced have been stunning, with the regular cuvee of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape one of the finest in the appellation, and the limited production Cuvee Vieilles Vignes one of the world’s truly magnificent wines.”

Marcoux’s wines have been mentioned with the likes of Chateauneuf greats such as Andre Brunel’s Cuvee Centenaire, Henri Bonneau’s Reserve des Celestins, and Pegau’s Cuvee Capo. To be mentioned in rare company such as this is a sensational accomplishment. Though Marcoux’s debut vintage was 1989, the Armenier family has inhabited the estate property since before 1344. In fact, it is one of the oldest recorded family names in the history of the village. The Armenier family line has witnessed history and the transformation of one of the greatest wine regions in the world and are now creating history of their own.

Domaine De Marcoux biodynamically farms 17.5 hectares of vines located in 10 separate parcels of some of the greatest terroir in the appellation, including Beaurenard, Charbonniere, and La Crau. The climate is optimal for growing in the county of Vaucluse where rainfall is rare, sunshine is frequent, while enjoying the benefits of the Mistral. The strong winds of the Mistral sweep through the entire appellation, keeping rain away, preventing fog and mist, minimizing the risk of spring frosts and drying out the vines, helping to prevent diseases such as mildew.

The terroir is comprised of ancient material brought from the time of glacial movements. It consists of alluvial material, large stones, crystalline rocks, and siliceous elements such as quartz, sandstone and flint. Large round pebbles, known as “galets roules” is an inevitable sight in the vineyards. These stones are just as vital as the sun, rain and wind, as they collect the warmth of the sun during the day and radiate it into the soil overnight. The varietals used by Marcoux are perfectly attuned to this wonderful terroir.

In the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape appellation, 13 varieties are authorized, of which Marcoux uses Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Clairette in their whites and Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault in their red wine production. The Cuvee Vieilles Vignes and star of the portfolio is made of mostly old vine Grenache from vines that are over 100 years old planted on the foothills of the infamous La Crau plateau. The “regular” Chateauneuf-Du-Pape is sourced from multiple site locations and is comprised generally of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah, and 3% Cinsault. The grapes sourced for the Chateauneuf Blanc are Roussanne from the lieudit of Les Esqueirons, Bourboulenc in the locality of Les Bousuet, and Clairette. Marcoux also produces a Cotes Du Rhone and Lirac wine.

Production at Marcoux is extremely limited; The Chateauneuf-Du-Pape has an annual production of 2,400 cases, the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes, a mere 300 cases and the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc sees only 250 cases annually. The domaine is organic ECOCERT certified and the vinification is the human part of grape growing where the team at Marcoux learns, understands and decides how best to produce a glorious wine that speaks of the qualities gifted by the impeccable terroir, the wonders of nature, while using the knowledge of past and present winemaking greats to find perfect harmony and create a truly magnificent wine.

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