Dom. Charvin's Newly Released 2023 Cotes-du-Rhone 'Damon'

letuffeau.com (Link) “This really drinks like a top flight Chateauneuf-du-Pape!” — John Gilman, View from the Cellar & “Most people don’t know how good the Cotes-du-Rhone from Laurent is, or how age worth it is, but the reality is that it’s closer to a Chateauneuf-du-Pape than a Cotes-du-Rhone.” — Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com Domaine Charvin - Chemin de Maucoil, Orange Chateauneuf-du-Pape — “Chateauneuf may lack for actual chateaux, but it’s still a place where you property speaks to your self-view. In this case, Laurent Charvin’s no-frills cellar, a glorified garage on the northern-western edge of the appellation, couldn’t speak more clearly: no bullshit at this address. The ruse might be that Charvin and his father, Gerard, before him were among the few producers (Rayas being another) that drew acclaim during the era of ambition ... while never falling prey to stylistic temptations. Somehow, the wines remain an insiders treat, their prices never quite spiraling. If you can’t drink Rayas, Charvin’s wines will similarly remind you of the timelessness of great grenache.” The New French Wine — Jon Bonne “Domaine Charvin is my one true love in the Rhone (South & North). To be honest, I have encountered less-than-perfect wines from them in the past; but I open more of their bottles than almost any other producer and the rate of dim bottles is lower than elsewhere in the region. The quality level across the board when the bottles are pristine is simply spectacular. A resolutely traditional producer in Chateauneuf, Charvin produces very few wines each year. There is no diluting of the range into mid-level or premium bottlings; Charvin make some of the finest best Cotes-du-Rhone wines (baby Chateauneufs in all respects) and a sole cuvee of Chateauneuf-du-Pape rouge. The tradition at this estate is to conduct both fermentation and elevage entirely in concrete tanks. This has been mirrored in a number of other domaines, but for me Charvin remains the yardstick amongst these and indeed that against which all CdP is measured. ... I cannot contain my enthusiasm for these wines.” — David — ~ please note : discounts are automatically applied at the digital check-out! ~ — Domaine Charvin 2023 Cotes-du-Rhone ‘Damon’ (Shelf Price: $67.00) Offer: $60.00 6-pack: $324.00 ($54/bottle, 20%-off) 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah; from 80 year-old vines planted in a single 2.2ha plot on the classic galet roules over clay; 100% whole bunch; 12 months in concrete vat. “Would it be untoward to think of this as a deeply sensual wine, and I include in that sweeping assessment the retaining wall of minerality that shores up the deep well of fruit and earth. A very near impenetrable ruby with hints of violet and garnet on the edges. This still new cuvee, Damon, from Laurent Charvin is now in its second vintage. It feels slightly more opulent than the corresponding ‘Le Poutet’ Cotes-du-Rhone cuvee, though we will have to wait a while longer until the 2023 rendition of the latter wine is released in this country. Aromas of loamy earth, leather cure, sweet black cherry, and darkly herbal garrigue mingle with nuances of warm stones, game, cold ash, and candied cherry and orange peel. The palate is opulent, large scale, and sweetly fruited; slightly compact at this young stage but still dense with fruit. The classic Charvin complexity and freshness from the full use of whole bunches is present. Silken! Black cherry studded fruitcake, black plums, black raspberry, black plums. The overall profile here is deeply pitched yet there is plenty of savoury nuance from garrigue, orange rind, and cured meat. The finish is welcomely earthy and stony, littered with dried peels, thyme, and game nuances that repeat until the last vestiges of fruit have faded. Quite monstrous, in a good way. Fine!” — David Order here (Link) “Dieses Ungeheuer schmeckt mir ungeheur.” — Otto von Bismark … Please join us for a drink soon. Reservations preferred. Bookings and after-6.00pm access: (03) 9419 3867 Tue. 11.00 am–6.00 pm Wed.–Sat. 11.00 am–11.00 pm — If you would like any of the above, would like to come by for a private appointment, or just have some questions — please let us know.