Marcoux Masterclass

All destemmed and made in concrete tanks, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone comes from two small parcels of vines. Mainly Grenache, with smaller amounts of Mourvèdre and Syrah, it's a terrific value this vintage, offering up loads of black cherries and blackberries, garnished with an appealing waft of garrigue. Full-bodied and soft, it's awfully easy to drink and enjoy. JOW CZERWINSKI, The Wine Advocate

The 2022 Lirac La Lorentine (tasted as a tank sample) reveals wonderful violet notes strewn among blueberries and cherries on the nose. Full-bodied, soft and plush in feel, it finishes long and silky. As usual, it's mostly Syrah and Mourvèdre, with a bit of Grenache. YOHAN CASTAING, The Wine Advocate

Marcoux’s biodynamically farmed Lorentine vineyard lies in the heart of the Lirac appellation on the red clay, limestone and galet soils of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres (in the valley of Balouvière). Over many years, the Armenier family has slowly peeled back the layers of Lirac’s neglected terroir. They have restored life to the soils through cultivation and organic/biodynamic practice. Today, they produce wines worthy of this excellent terroir. In 2022, this usually Grenache-dominant blend was crafted from 40% Syrah and 40% Mourvèdre with 20% Grenache. The wines fermented with indigenous yeasts and were raised for 15 months in concrete, foudres and old wooden barrels.

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is showing beautifully, displaying lively crushed violet, cranberry, red cherry, licorice and dried herb aromas. Full-bodied, elegant and fitted with velvety tannins, it is well-balanced by fresh acidity, closing with a long-lasting finish. As usual, it's a blend of very old vines from two parcels in Charbonnières and Les Esquirons. Only 4,000 bottles produced. (93-95) NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

“The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a bigger, richer effort that shows the pure, vibrant style of the vintage beautifully. Black raspberries, spring flowers, sandalwood, and spicy Provençal notes all define the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with an ultra-fine, seamless mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish. Count me impressed. It's going to drink nicely in its youth yet also evolve for 15-20 years. (93-95) JEB DUNNUCK, JebDunnuk.com

Impressive depth of colour for the vintage, this is extremely round, fresh, clear and well-defined. Tannins are present and fairly strict in style, but they're ripe, and all in all this is exceptionally promising. Not huge in fruit or body, but well-balanced and precise. From 120-year-old vines planted on north-facing clay and sand lieux-dits of Charbonnières and Esquières. Fermented in concrete, aged in foudre. (97) MATT WALLS, Decanter

As always, it’s 100% Grenache brought up in a mix of concrete tank and foudre. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a brilliant array of blueberries, violets, and pepper, and it’s full-bodied, has a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. I’d put it up with the top handful of wines in the vintage. (95-97) JEB DUNNUCK, JebDunnuck.com

This year, Sophie Armenier produced only one cuvée, incorporating the old vines into this blend. However, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Domaine de Marcoux reveals a deep, complex bouquet of spices, chocolate, dark wild berries and garrigue complemented by delicate notes of tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, round and concentrated, it's rich without being heavy and framed by a fleshy core of fruit, a sweet, enveloping mid-palate and concludes with a long, saline finish. Considering the challenges of the vintage, particularly the significant downy mildew in the vineyard that affects the yield, this wine is a great success. Kudos! This is a blend of 85% Grenache Noir and the rest a mix of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault, all matured in a combination of foudres, concrete tanks, barrels and amphorae. (95) YOHAN CASTAING, The Wine Advocate

At eye level with the delicious 2020, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an instant classic. Fragrant raspberry, orange blossom, licorice, lavender and white pepper are all nicely delineated. Polished and full-bodied, the 2022 will start to show its full potential in around three years. It should easily celebrate its 15th birthday in style. (93) NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous