Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Wine

Marcoux, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone wine producer profile with wine tasting notes, wine ratings, a history of the property, information on wine making and terroir, along with wine tasting reviews and images. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles

There are old families in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation and there are real old families from the region. The roots of Domaine de Marcoux date all the way back to about the year 1000. Chateauneuf du Pape was not born yet. The area was still known as Castrum Novum, which meant fortified village. At the time, the ancestors of the Armenier family went under the name of Armani! And no, we’re not talking about the house of Armani from Italy!

While the owners of Domaine de Marcoux are obviously one of the oldest families in Chateauneuf du Pape, wine making did not take place at Domaine de Marcoux until quite recently. The first vintage was 1989. Six years later, the sisters, Catherine Armenier and Sophie Estevenin started managing Domaine de Marcoux after their brother Philippe Armenier moved to Napa Valley in California. Catherine is responsible for the wine making, and Sophie looks after the business end of the winery.

Domaine de Marcoux practices biodynamica farming of their 17.5 planted hectares of vines. On average, their vines are close to 50 years of age. They have old vines, the oldest are more than 100 years old. They come from 2.3 hectares planted on sandy terroir. That is the grape source for the Domaine de Marcoux Vieille Vignes.

This is a traditionally managed Rhone property. After harvest, the berries are destemmed and sorted to each specific grape variety before fermentation. The fruit spends 3 weeks in concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats. At that point, the wine is aged in a combination of concrete vats and foudres for between 16 to 18 months.

Domaine de Marcoux produces 3 red Chateauneuf du Papes and two white Chateauneuf du Papes as well as wines from Cotes du Rhone.

Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape is made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and assorted varietals.

Domaine de Marcoux Ephemere is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. This is a semi new wine for the sisters, It comes from a vines purchased in 2002. The first vintage took place in 2003.

Domaine de Marcoux Vieilles Vignes is for all intents and purposes, 100% old vine Grenache. This limited production wine is one of the top cuvees from Chateauneuf du Pape. On average, 300 cases are produced per year. This is a stunning style of Chateauneuf du Pape with sensuous textures and a beautiful purity of fruit. Expensive and hard to find, if you see a bottle and want to try one of the reference point wines in Chateauneuf du Pape, this is one of the wines to consider.

www.domainedemarcoux.fr