Château Fortia is not a winery that chases good press on a whim. These are consistent, classic wines that faithfully represent the region’s terroir year after year. The Cuvée du Baron, which combines 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre, was created in the memory of the Domaine’s founder, Baron Le Roy de Boiseaumarie. The wine was first released in 2001.

The wine went through a long, cool fermentation in small lots by varietal, then aged 18 months in old oak foudres prior to bottling. Deep garnet-purple in colour, this is a wine with a dense, complex nose and notes of plum and cassis and garrigue on a medium-bodied palate. This is a wine you can enjoy now or cellar for several years.

“The 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Du Baron (40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre) is cut from the same cloth yet has a touch more acidity as well as structure. Notes of Bing cherries, roasted garrigue, new leather, licorice, and ground pepper all emerge from this more medium-bodied, fresh, focused 2018 that has building tannins and outstanding length. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following decade. 2020-2030.” 91 points, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2020

“More concentrated and also more harmonious than the regular bottling, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Baron is a fine effort. A blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, it aged in a combination of tanks and foudres, so there’s no oak evident on the nose, just a patina of fine leather over a base of ripe black cherries, red raspberries and a hint of garrigue. Full-bodied and supple, this may be enjoyed now and anytime over the next decade or so.” 91-93 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, September 2020