If you love some extremely dense Chateauneuf that will age forever, this wine is for you. The finish is well over a minute long…This stuff will easily develop for 30 years.  Roughly 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah

The young and diligent Xavier Rolin is the 5th generation of vignerons in his family. Xavier is a cousin of the famous Perrin owners of Chateau Beaucastel in Courthezon. His family Domaine is based in the village Chateauneuf du Pape very close to the Orange border. This district of the appellation is called Berthaude, thus the name Maison la Berthaude. Xavier’s family owns 40.5 total hectares. 15.5 hectares in Chateauneuf du Pape, 20.5 hectares in Cotes du Rhone & Villages and 4.5 IGP.

About 20% of the domaine’s production is white wine. The domaine’s vineyards span out over 72 individual parcels, each sub-plot has its own distinct reflection of “terroir”. And while some of the vines are more than 100 years old, the average vine age at the domaine is about 60 years old; 85% of the vines are over 22 years of age.

The Chateauneuf vines are planted on two types of soil. The first is a clay and limestone subsoil covered by the famous galets roules (large riverbed rounded stones). The second type of soil contains much more sand and fashions wines with higher toned aromatics and finesse.      

95 points, Vinous: “Glistening ruby-red. Candied red fruits, exotic spices, potpourri, and a hint of vanilla on the expansive, intensely perfumed nose. Stains the palate with sappy raspberry and cherry liqueur and spice cake flavors that show outstanding definition and minerally lift. Clings with outstanding tenacity on the finish, which features harmonious tannins and resonating red fruit and floral notes. 94-95 points”