2016 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Lieu-Dit Clavin Cotes du Rhone

‘The 2016 vintage was truly extraordinary for the Southern Rhône and is a vintage that readers should buy with abandon. This is the greatest young vintage from the Southern Rhône Valley I’ve ever tasted, both in terms of quality as well as consistency.’- Jeb Dunnuck

Since taking over the estate from his father in 1992, Jean-Paul Daumen has become one of the most talented and revered winemakers in all of France regularly producing some of the top wines of the vintage. We were so impressed with his 2016 Lieu-Dit Clavin Cotes du Rhone that we scored it a point higher than his 2015 Le Trois Sources Chateauneuf du Pape from an excellent vintage in its own right and at nearly 3 times the price.

A stellar Cotes Du Rhone that sits comfortably alongside its bigger Chateauneuf du Pape sibling.

Produced from a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% other miscellaneous varieties with an average vine age of 85 years old. Midnight black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced aromas of ripe black raspberries, black cherries and liquorice ascend from the glass with an undercard of herbs du Provence, subtle earth and spice. Boasting fantastic purity of fruit the tremendously rich, concentrated and full bodied palate is saturated with ripe black cherry, black raspberry and liquorice flavours. Opulent chewy mouthfeel with a sturdy, muscular underbelly finishing slightly firm. Adding nuance and complexity are elements of dried meats, scorched earth, subtle herbs du Provence and spicy pepper. Ripe structural tannins sit well beneath the expansive fruit. Outstanding power and depth with a lengthy aftertaste of ripe black raspberries, black cherries, liquorice, dried meats, subtle scorched earth and spicy pepper. A brilliant Chateauneuf du Pape lookalike.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews…
The 2016 Côtes du Rhône Lieu-Dit Clavin comes from vines right around the estate and is always a sensational wine. The 2016 offers notes of blackberries, ground herbs, licorice, and crushed violets. Medium to full-bodied and incredibly well balanced, with serious length, it's another winner. It's going to keep for two decades.
94 points
Jeb Dunnuck