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.

“A bigger, richer wine based on 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre, the 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Du Baron has terrific black cherry and red currant-like fruits as well as classic peppery garrigue, leather, spice-box, licorice, and lavender aromatics. More structured than the Tradition cuvee, it still has this wonderful sense of purity and elegance, terrific balance, and enough tannins to warrant 2-4 years of bottle age. This classic, old-school beauty matches what the estate was able to achieve in 2003, 2009, 2010, and 2016. It will drink well over the coming 15+ years.” 93 points, Jeb Dunnuck, February 2022

“The 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Baron includes a higher proportion of Syrah than the regular cuvée, being a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. The estate considers Syrah something of specialty, and this does appear to have a bit more substance to it, delivering ripe black cherry and allspice flavors. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, it finishes with ample length.” 92-93 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, May 2022

“Very striking nose of crystalized violets. Ripe and slightly sweet entry, but then the powerful tannins make themselves felt, turning the wine in a decisively dry direction. Slightly bulky, but with plenty of depth and some complexity at the finish. Sustainable. Drink or hold.”
91 points, James Suckling, March 2022