The inaugural vintage of Domaine La Barroche's new Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, the 2024 is a beautifully refined expression of the cooler, sandy terroirs in the northern reaches of the appellation. Built around Clairette, with Roussanne and Grenache Blanc adding texture and complexity, it combines white flowers and stone fruit with impressive freshness, saline minerality and a finely creamy texture.
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, France
Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Grapes: 70% Clairette, 15% Roussanne, 15% Grenache Blanc
Style: Dry, elegant and mineral Southern Rhône white
Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
Ageing: Approximately 12 months, with Clairette matured in large oak vessels and Roussanne and Grenache Blanc in concrete eggs.
Nose:
Fresh and beautifully aromatic, opening with white flowers, peach and yellow plum, followed by citrus blossom, fennel and delicate Mediterranean herbs. Subtle spice and mineral notes emerge with air, adding complexity without overwhelming the purity of the fruit.
Palate:
Silky and gently creamy on entry, with ripe peach, orchard fruit and citrus carried by vibrant acidity. Clairette provides freshness and aromatic lift, while Roussanne contributes body and complexity and Grenache Blanc brings tension and finesse.
Structure:
Medium to full-bodied yet wonderfully controlled. The wine balances generous fruit and texture with lively acidity and pronounced mineral tension. The cooler vineyard sites and limestone-rich subsoils contribute freshness, preventing the wine from becoming heavy or overly opulent.
Finish:
Long, energetic and distinctly saline, with lingering white peach, citrus, delicate spice and a mouthwatering mineral character.
The 2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc marks an important new chapter for Domaine La Barroche, being the first vintage of this cuvée.
Julien and Laetitia Barrot source the fruit from the cooler, north-facing sectors of Palestor and Piedlong, where iron-rich sands of marine origin sit over limestone. These sites were deliberately selected to emphasize freshness, minerality and finesse rather than sheer richness.
The blend is dominated by Clairette Blanche and Clairette Rose, varieties particularly suited to La Barroche's pursuit of elegance. Roussanne contributes volume and complexity, while Grenache Blanc provides additional tension and structure. Each variety is harvested and vinified separately using indigenous yeasts before a long, gentle élevage.
The result is a sophisticated white Châteauneuf-du-Pape that captures the generosity of the Southern Rhône while retaining remarkable freshness, purity and saline precision.
2024 is the debut vintage of La Barroche Blanc, making this an especially significant release for the domaine. The vintage's naturally fresh character works particularly well for white Rhône varieties, and La Barroche's high proportion of Clairette accentuates that energy.
Early critical reception has been encouraging, with Jeb Dunnuck awarding the wine 92 points, while Swiss specialist Gerstl rated it 19/20.
2026–2036
Already highly attractive for its youthful floral character, fresh stone fruit and saline minerality. Enjoy now from a large glass, ideally with a little air, or cellar for additional complexity.
Over time, expect the youthful peach and floral notes to develop toward preserved citrus, honey, beeswax, toasted almond and savoury Mediterranean herbs, while retaining the mineral backbone that defines the wine.
Excellent with grilled Mediterranean fish, seared scallops, lobster, crab, roasted sea bass, turbot, roast chicken, veal and grilled vegetables.
Its combination of creamy texture and saline freshness makes it particularly compelling with lobster beurre blanc, scallops with cauliflower purée, roast chicken with morels, grilled langoustines, or a truffle and mushroom risotto.
