Log in for prices and ordering

Domaine de Marcoux: 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (and friends) From a Biodynamic Artisan

Domaine de Marcoux: 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (and friends) From a Biodynamic Artisan

★ Producteur de très grande vins “Marcoux’s are amongst the top wines of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. They were one of the first adopters of biodynamics. Here, the wines have a natural and a rare depth, an energy and power that does not rely on artificial breeding.” Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France 2023

“[This] biodynamically farmed vineyard has risen to the top of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s quality hierarchy. The two red wines produced have been stunning, with the regular cuvée of Châteauneuf-du-Pape one of the finest in the appellation, and the limited production Cuvée Vieilles Vignes one of the world’s truly magnificent wines.” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

“For value, shrewd consumers should reach for the Côtes du Rhône and Lirac bottlings, which can come close in quality to the blended Chateauneuf. The Vieilles Vignes is often in another quality realm altogether, but it’s priced accordingly and produced in small quantities.” Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate

Given the marked change in style heralded by the cool 2021 vintage, the precocious 2020 harvest may find itself grouped in a power trio with the preceding two years. Yet, while the ’20 vintage is clearly another superb year for Southern Rhône, in our experience the wines bear only a slight resemblance to the decadent 2018s and supercharged 2019s. And, this grower’s 2020 wines certainly have a personality all of their own. Sophie Armenier speaks of her latest release Châteauneuf as “elegant, supple and balanced, combining freshness and delicacy”. The Marcoux 2020s are wines of vibrancy, precision and real drinkability, with silky tannins and graceful acidity contributing to subtle structures: they are deep and flavourful wines without being colossal.

The Côtes-du-Rhône and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape hail from 2021, a perplexing year in the vineyards that made the Rhône’s recent harvests look serene. Mas de Libian’s Hélène Thibon has described this year as a throwback to her childhood’s cooler and lower alcohol vintages, while across both the north and south divides, Michel Chapoutier has talked about the “almost-forgotten characteristics” of his 2021 wines. What this means for the grand vin from Marcoux remains to be seen (and Vincent Estevenin has very high hopes). Still, the story of the two cuvées below is prefaced by delicious, succulent flesh buoyed by great vitality and energy.

Alongside the classic release and the return of Marcoux’s epic Lirac, we’re delighted to offer a small museum parcel of Marcoux’s 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. On release, Sophie Armenier compared this fine year to 2001, another terrific cellaring vintage. When it first hit the market, the wine’s combination of good natural acidity and ripe tannins promised a successful life ahead and, in short, this 2015 is in a very good place.

For those new to this grower, this tiny, artisanal domaine was the first in Châteauneuf to convert to biodynamics some 30 years ago. While the prime focus is given to the vineyards, Sophie Armenier’s subtle hand in the cellar must also take some credit: natural fermentation; gentle extractions; concrete fermentation; and the absence of any new oak all play a vital role in quality and balance. More information and the full available range can be found on our Marcoux page.

 

Other Recent Releases

  • Albino Rocca
    Albino Rocca
    It’s no secret that 2021 was a dazzling vintage for Piemonte. In the glass, this transl...
    It’s no secret that 2021 was a dazzling vintage for Piemonte. In the glass, this translates as manna from heaven for Nebbiolo lovers, and a set of ...

    Read more

  • Murdoch Hill
    Murdoch Hill
    For any and all who love brightness and tension in their glass, Michael Downer’s 2023 r...
    For any and all who love brightness and tension in their glass, Michael Downer’s 2023 releases hit the bullseye. Twenty-twenty-three was, of course...

    Read more

  • Clos de Tart
    Clos de Tart
    “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time,” said Tolstoy. This offer marks ...
    “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time,” said Tolstoy. This offer marks our 18th year representing this historic monopole Grand Cru ...

    Read more

  • Thomas Wines
    Thomas Wines
    Whisper it: the Hunter's ‘once in a lifetime’ white-wine vintage of 2013 may have compe...
    Whisper it: the Hunter's ‘once in a lifetime’ white-wine vintage of 2013 may have competition. That's Andrew Thomas's tentative assessment. Tentati...

    Read more

  • Place of Changing Winds
    Place of Changing Winds
    There’s just a single Pinot Noir released from Place of Changing Winds from the 2023 vi...
    There’s just a single Pinot Noir released from Place of Changing Winds from the 2023 vintage, and it’s one of the most seductive this vineyard has ...

    Read more

  • Mayacamas Vineyards
    Mayacamas Vineyards
    Where to start with Mayacamas Vineyards? How about with the words of Eric Asimov: “A le...
    Where to start with Mayacamas Vineyards? How about with the words of Eric Asimov: “A legendary purveyor of classically structured, ageworthy Napa V...

    Read more

  • Noble Rot - Issue 38
    Noble Rot - Issue 38
    “One of the few irksome things about fine wine culture–apart from its pretence, and its...
    “One of the few irksome things about fine wine culture–apart from its pretence, and its propensity for snobbery–is the sheer cost of getting throug...

    Read more

  • Garagiste
    Garagiste
    Would someone please give Barney Flanders a break? As if it’s not enough that the weath...
    Would someone please give Barney Flanders a break? As if it’s not enough that the weather has played havoc with Garagiste’s yields, Barney and Cam’...

    Read more

  • Domaine Gérard Boulay
    Domaine Gérard Boulay
    In the hands of the best growers—and there are not that many in this sparsely populated...
    In the hands of the best growers—and there are not that many in this sparsely populated but fêted Loire village—a Sancerre from Chavignol can, to p...

    Read more

View All Offers