"Gourmand, pure and perfectly crafted" - Charvin 2022 Cotes-du-Rhone

letuffeau.com (Link) Le Tuffeau is Open for 2026 … please join us, responsibly, for a glass or bottle of wine (more below) — Domaine Charvin Orange (Southern Rhone) “Yohan Castaing, a Bordelaise writing for Robert Parker’s publication, opines below that Laurent Charvin is underappreciated vigneron. Certainly not by me. I possibly have more Charvin, across a range of vintages, than any other producer in my cellar. For someone that collects Claret and burgles Burgundy this is quite the statement. What sets Charvin aside from other producers and why do the wines appeal to me? Laurent Charvin is old fashioned, perhaps in the truest sense. There are no secrets here. Vineyard management is fully organic and classical, including ample covering wild and local grasses; the old vines (50-80 years old) are kept low yield. Cellar work is equally traditional. The Domaine never destems, and does not own a barrel. The results: silken and perfumed wines with a distinct sense of ‘minerality’. There is always, even in the warmer vintages, a cooling quality to the Charvin wines often in spite of the typically Southern Rhone alcohol levels. Below is the Domaine’s calling card, their Cotes-du-Rhone. This is quite possibly one of the best-value wines in France. To me, this wine exists to offer a counterpart to the Chateauneuf-du-Pape; it sees a slightly shorter elevage in concrete tank, and has a slightly different cepage. If this wine contains ‘declassified, young vine material’ then such material was planted in the ‘90s … most of the vines date from the ‘50s and ‘20s. All in all, it is the ‘drinking’ wine. The wine itself ages as well as the Chateauneuf-du-Papes yet offers sumptuous drinking in youth. If this were a great Burgundy domaine, one would have to imagine drinking a humble ‘Bourgogne’ by Michel Lafarge composed only of the oldest vines in ‘Clos des Chenes’ and ‘Caillerets’. Bon vin, indeed.” — David “Laurent Charvin is, in an inexplicable way, one of the most underappreciated vignerons in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Certified in organic viticulture, he manages 33 hectares of vines, including 11 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 20 hectares in the Côtes du Rhône appellation and two hectares in Vin de Pays. Charvin crafts wines of real finesse and velvety tannins through meticulous viticulture, spontaneous grassing and careful soil management—practices that few in the region employ. His vineyards are primarily composed of sandy soils with clay clusters. “Picking at the right time and freshness is the key in the south,” he says. A strong advocate of whole-bunch fermentation to enhance “salinity in the wines,” Charvin matures all his wines in concrete tanks, resulting in sensuality, elegance, finesse and an ethereal character.” — Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — ~ please note : discounts are automatically applied at the digital check-out! ~ — Domaine Charvin 2022 Cotes-du-Rhone ‘Le Poutet’ (Shelf Price: $65.00) Offer: $58.00 6-pack: $312.00 ($52/bottle) “This charming Cotes-du-Rhone from Domaine Charvin simply bursts from the glass with aromas of red and black cherries, crushed raspberry, cured leather, black forest cake, and red florals; a sense of restraint hovers around the edges of perception in the form of fresh and dried orange peel, and slightly salty, iodine-inflected mineral nuances. Time brings out a glorious note of A. Lincoln Rose that I find deeply nostalgic. I should note there is a wonderful sensation of depth without weight to the aromatic profile. The palate for all its latent fruit weight remains bright and fresh, underpinned by chalky tannin and fine acidity. Fresh red and blue fruits which segue to the concentration of dried goji, candied peel, minerals; sage fresh oregano. The finish is savoury and mineral, wreathed in garrigue; certainly inviting another sip.” — David & “A gourmand, pure and perfectly crafted wine, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone from Domaine Charvin offers up aromas of iris, violet, dark wild berries and cherries. Medium-bodied, juicy and round, it's fresh and delicate with a long, ethereal and fresh finish.” 91pts — Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Order here (Link) also available Domaine Charvin 2022 Cotes-du-Rhone ‘Le Poutet’ (MAGNUM) (Shelf Price: $139.00) Offer: $119.00 Order here (Link) — The new Le Tuffeau 2026 … As mentioned above Le Tuffeau is open for 2026. We are still an eccentric fine wine shop on the second floor of the Nicholas Building. What is different: we have a new Liquor Licence permitting on premises consumption. Snacks: coming soon. 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 … Available by the glass this week Max Ferd. Richter 2021 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett Domaine Servin 2023 Chablis 1er Cru 'Butteaux' Chateau Simone 2023 Palette Rose Domaine Remoriquet 2022 Nuits-Saint-Georges 'Les Allots' Wantirna Estate 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 'Amelia' — 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.