2018 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Lieu-Dit Clavin Cotes du Rhone

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. Made from a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% other miscellaneous varieties, the Lieu-Dit Clavin vineyard is located 3 metres away from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation boundary.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a bright dark red hue. Pronounced red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and wild cherry aromas mix with fresh herbs, a subtle meatiness and white pepper. Mid weighted a savoury combination of red to black raspberry, red liquorice and dark cherry fruits possess plenty of freshness over a back drop of herbs du Provence, subtle infusions of incense and peppered earth. Lighter and fresher than recent vintages it has a lively finish, polished tannins and a deliciously refined, almost elegant aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews....
The 2018 Côtes du Rhône Lieu-Dit Clavin is a beauty and certainly plays in the realm of a rock-solid Châteauneuf in this vintage. Revealing a deeper ruby/purple color as well as a beautiful bouquet of black cherries, black licorice, peppery garrigue, and a touch of earthy minerality, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a beautifully layered, seamless texture, no hard edges, and a great finish. It certainly has some classic Vielle Julienne character, and I would be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar. It’s going to evolve nicely for 10-12 years. Drink 2020 - 2032.
91 Points
JebDunnuck.com (June 2020)

75% Grenache, 10% cinsault, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Grenache Blanc. The Lieu-Dit Clavin vineyard is located 3 metres away from the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation boundary. Average age of vines is 85 years.
Bright, juicy red fruits, mint and perfume, dried flowers. Fleshy and sillty, juicy nutty thing, raspberry and ironstone, fresh and packed with tannin and floral things on a long finish. Drink 2021-2028+
94+ points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front

Highly perfumed, fragrant, floral and rose hip tea scents, kirsch and maraschino in the mix, some turned earth and undergrowth too. Satiny texture, good intensity of flavour and concentration, quite sweet fruited, almost a pinosity here but for the tension and drag of fine, lacy tannins. Structured, serious expression. Very good, complex, medium weight red.
94+ points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front