2007 Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Barberini

Until recently, Domaine de la Solitude had been more of a follower than a trailblazer in Châteauneuf, making wines that were excellent and highly structured in the '50s and '60s, before coming full circle in the '70s and '80s, putting out simpler, fruity wines. But, around the turn of the century, brothers Jean and Michel Lancon decided to turn things up a notch, hiring renowned enologist Didier Richard to take control in the cellar. The flagship wine is undoubtedly the Cuvee Barberini, made largely from 100-year-old, pre-phyloxerra Grenache vines planted in the alluvial patches of Solitude.

Until recently, Domaine de la Solitude had been more of a follower than a trailblazer in Châteauneuf, making wines that were excellent and highly structured in the '50s and '60s, before coming full circle in the '70s and '80s, putting out simpler, fruity wines. But, around the tur... more