A scent of Liberty wine fills the air at La Barroche! Liberty is a unnique collaboration resulting from the experience of two winegrowing friends who have dared to go back to basics. In the vineyard, they freely explored their outstanding terroir off the beaten track, and transformed their emotions into a unique experience. Liberty means not only the freedom to do as you wish, but also the freedom to reveal who you really are.
Liberty, Friendship, Terroir! On one hand, the strong-minded winegrower Julien Barrot is part of a committed generation whose curiosity and open-mindedness work wonderfully hand in hand with ancestral expertise. Through rigorous work and strict plot selection, he has distinguished the estate of Châteauneuf-du-Pape by producing fine, elegant wines. On the other hand, Yannick Alliaud, a fifth-generation winegrower, cultivates 40 hectares of vineyards next to Châteauneuf de Gadagne with rigour, patience and unwavering love for his work - a heavenly spot that he has always dreamt of developing by producing his own wine. Their deep friendship began when they met in 1998, and is sealed by a shared passion for fine terroir and grape varieties which brings them even closer. True epicureans, fine gourmets and fun lovers, these two friends have been sharing their love for cooking, entertaining and fine wines with the same enthusiasm for twenty years.
The fruit of maturity Liberty by La Barroche, a do it yourself wine par excellence, is the joint expression of their desire for freedom. This slightly rebellious choice, guided by wisdom and experience, has led them to experiment with grape variety/soil pairings, rising above codes and standards to produce an excellent, characterful, sincere wine, which expresses their desires, ideals, temperament, creativity, and originality. BY LA BARROCHE «a new giant» This reference to the iconic Statue of Liberty perfectly represents the two winegrowers careers. Like the statue they are anchored to the ground and, at the same time, uphold an ideal, a flame, an enlightening and revealing sense of freedom. Liberty by La Barroche also reflects the American way of life, illustrated by Lady Liberty: anything is possible. Widespread co-operation between winegrowers and winemakers has produced many exceptional wines over the years. Liberty by La Barroche is not only a symbol of French-American friendship, very dear to the two friends, but also a tribute to fellow winegrowers who have moved across the Atlantic, showing their openness to the world.
Grown in a small paradise with superb terroir The grapes for Liberty by La Barroche takes their roots in the southernmost part of the Rhône valley, next to Châteauneuf de Gadagne and similar to the Crau plateau in Châteauneuf du Pape. The 50-year-old vines grow on Plio-Quaternary terraces covered with river stones, at an altitude of 125 metres, on sun-drenched hillsides, watered by tributaries of the Rhone and windswept by the Mistral. These old vines are warmed by the thick carpet of large river stones and draw all their nourishment from a mixture of sand and red and blue clay, which keeps them cool, even during the hottest seasons. Older generations tell how the mysterious upwelling Fontaine de Vaucluse continues to flow underground across the plateau.
The promise of a purely pleasurable experience Winemaking friends, searching for the intrinsic qualities of the terroir, have produced a wine that is as bohemian as it is earthy, with unexpected virtues. Liberty by La Barroche is a full-bodied wine with good structure, character and tight tannins. Its aromas are reminiscent of juicy, black raspberries, violets, and peppery herbs. It is mellow, yet has good acidity and elegant minerality. Liberty by La Barroche is a gastronomic wine with an ageing potential of several decades.
Blend The old Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Grenache vines, trained in goblet style (an almost-artistic approach today) are on average 65 years old. 55% Grenache 18% Syrah 12% Mourvèdre 10% Cinsault 5% Carignan CARIGNAN Viticulture Rigorous bud pruning. Furthermore, green harvesting and leaf thinning are done. The picking is entirely by hand, with sorting in the vineyard and again in the cellar. Wine-making and aging The gravity-system cellar was built in 1930. Wine-making in underground concrete vats. Destemming of underripe stalks. The wine stays on the skins for over 4 weeks. Gentle extractions. Aging in old oak casks and 600 liter barrels for approximately 18 months. The wine is not filtered before bottling. Tasting it tastes like a Châteauneuf du Pape with its juicy black raspberry, violets, peppery herbs and distinct minerality. This comparison is certainly still valid on the palate, as well and its medium to full-bodied, concentrated and structured, with a sappy, grippy style that will evolve nicely for 7-8 years or more. Don t let the Vin de France label sway you, this is the real deal. Jeb Dunnuck pour Robert Parker Octobre 2016
VIENNE LA VALLÉE DU RHÔNE VALENCE MONTÉLIMAR ORANGE RASTEAU GIGONDAS VACQUEYRAS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AVIGNON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DE-GADAGNE 84230 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tél. +33 662 849 579 contact@domainelabarroche.com www.domainelabarroche.com