Barbe Rac
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically reaches its peak between 10 to 25 years from the vintage, showcasing remarkable longevity.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted rack of lamb, wild boar ragout, slow-braised beef cheeks
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Hailing from one of the most historic parcels in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, M. Chapoutier's 'Barbe Rac' is a masterclass in single-vineyard expression. The name itself traces back to local history, but the true legend lies in the vineyard's ancient Grenache vines, planted in 1901. Situated on a dry, wind-swept plateau of rolled pebbles (galets roulés) and red clay, these centenarian vines yield minuscule quantities of intensely concentrated fruit. To preserve the absolute purity of this exceptional terroir, Chapoutier employs a traditional, low-intervention approach: the wine is fermented and aged exclusively in concrete vats, entirely avoiding oak. This allows the natural power, rich black fruit, and distinctive garrigue-scented minerality of the old-vine Grenache to shine through with unmatched clarity and elegance.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1808 in Tain-l'Hermitage, M. Chapoutier is one of the Rhône Valley's most historic and revered wine producers, currently led by the visionary Michel Chapoutier who transitioned the estate to biodynamic farming in the 1990s. The maison is globally celebrated for its pioneering "sélections parcellaires" (single-vineyard wines) and its commitment to expressing the pure terroir of prestigious appellations like Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Utilizing traditional, low-intervention winemaking techniques, Chapoutier produces highly acclaimed reds and whites, including iconic labels such as the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac, Côte-Rôtie La Mordorée, and the Hermitage-derived La Sizeranne. Beyond the Rhône, the family has expanded its terroir-driven philosophy to exceptional estates in Roussillon, Australia's Victoria region, and Portugal's Douro Valley.