Domaine de la Charbonniere Hautes Brusquieres Cuvee Speciale 2016

96-98 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 96 Points, Wine Spectator

There is one top estate – still very much a small family affair that has continued to churn out wines of amazing dimension from their relatively modest means for reasonable prices. That’s according to me, Wine Spectator, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and most anybody who has had the privilege of seeing the Maret Family operation in motion.   

The team is still pretty small. The family originally bought the estate in 1912 and have been farming it themselves, generation by generation. Michel Maret – the grandson of founder Eugene – has largely allowed the reins to pass to daughters Caroline and Veronique (though not if you ask them!)

Though – for those in the know – the estate was already firmly established with the wine press. Robert Parker, Jr. summarized it well: “This is one of the most well-run estates in Chateauneuf du Pape thanks to the meticulous and passionate efforts of proprietor Michel Maret”.

But the daughters have managed to take the estate to even greater heights, including the inclusion of their base CDP at number 30 on Wine Spectator’s 2019 Top 100 Wines of the Year list. And this edition of their ‘Cuvee Speciale’ Single-Vineyard CdP is the highest ever that the Wine Advocate has rated one of their wines. This is serious stuff. But there’s not a whole lot to go around. Only 100 six-packs were imported into the country. I have seven of them to offer up first come, first served.