The wine was first made in the 1999 vintage. The name of the wine is a tribute to the original founders of the estate, the Barberini family. The wine comes from a terroir of rock and stone soils.
The nose on this wine is closed and earthen initially, but time and aeration coax out pristine strawberry and rapsberry flavors accented by spicy notes of cocoa and licorice. It's a rich, intensely ripe blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, lifted by a spray of savory herbs and a touch of smoked meat. Firm tannins need time to meld but this bottle should improve through 2030 and hold further still. 94 Points ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Dark and winey, with steeped plum, black currant and blackberry fruit, coated with melted black licorice notes and backed by a tarry spine on the finish. A latent tug of dark earth keeps this grounded. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2022 through 2038
Wine Enthusiast Magazine
The nose on this wine is closed and earthen initially, but time and aeration coax out pristine strawberry and rapsberry flavors accented by spicy notes of cocoa and licorice. It's a rich, intensely ripe blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, lifted by a spray of savory herbs and a touch of smoked meat. Firm tannins need time to meld but this bottle should improve through 2030 and hold further still. 94 Points
The more modern styled cuvée is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Barberini, which is 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah (18 months in 40% new oak) that’s an old-vine selection from more pebbly soils. Revealing a deep, saturated purple color as well as a Burgundian bouquet of black cherries, forest floor, ground herbs, and subtle oak, it's medium to full-bodied, balanced, has fine tannins, and reveals no hard edges. Another thrilling wine from this estate that does everything right, the oak adverse out there will need to cellar bottles for 4-5 years, but I'd happily drink it any time over the coming 10-15 years.
