September 1, 2023 - Pronounced nose intensity with black fruits, liquorice, black berry. Medium+ acidity and high tannin. Long finish.
April 3, 2023 - Tasting: A bit too much. A lot of alcohol, power and fruit - this is supersized.
September 3, 2022 - This needs lots of more time in bottle but it is showing already very well. No heat as the fruit really shows up. Crushed strawberries and rasberries. Needs 5 more years at least but should be very good.
September 2, 2022 - Amazing C9P! This youngster exhibits a great backbone structure, layers of dark complex fruit, integrated oak and tannins, and a compelling finish! Wonderful now, but with potential to develop into a 96-100 p wine.
September 2, 2022 - I didn't rate this because I thought it needed a few more years in the bottle. This will be very fine CNP in a few years.
July 7, 2021 - 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape 99/100 point wine taste-off (and a couple of pirate Rhone wines): A funky cold medina, the Barb Rac was one of the more farmy and earthy of the bunch, with plum and red/black raspberry notes playing tug-o-war with the dirty overalls American Gothic (or rather, French Gothic) posture this wine somewhat confusingly showcases in modern funk dichotomy. There is a globular richness that hints at ostentatiousness, but then Farmer John (or rather, Jean le Fermier) comes tractoring his way through the barn and rolls over the palate with his dirt-laced treads. It’s kinda like when your dad tries to be cool, but then he’s still just your dad and you and your friends are left more confused and wondering why he just bought a convertible yellow Miata and is trying to show it off like a Bugatti.
I can’t say I didn’t like the Barb Rac, I just was a little perplexed as to what it was trying to tell me. Hopefully some time in-bottle with help it to get past its mid-life crisis and find a true identity that doesn’t embarrass the whole family at the Thanksgiving table.
April 4, 2021 - Juicy, spicey, peppery. Delicious. Great fruit and a little coffee/choc vibes. I don't think it's any hurry but it's good now too.
May 29, 2020 - Magnificant straight put of the bottle, with beautiful light transparent red colour and wonderful nose. Fruity, balanced on the palate with many layers. Fresh. However, after a couple of hours it falls a little apart, and the last sip is not as interesting as the first. Wonder why. I have another two bottles to check out.
August 25, 2019 - Quasi du Pinot, cerise et canneberges, avec une fin de bouche de sucre brun Ch9. C'est bien, supérieur à Beaucastel, mais rien d'extraordinaire.
3/5
September 18, 2018 - The top of the line Southern Rhone wine from Chapoutier shows layers of refined, elegant, silky, pure red fruits. The freshness, purity and length found here, with all its ripe, si;ky textured kirsch is a turn on. I can attest personally to the ageability of this wine, so give it time as it can age for up to 3 decades! The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache.