Domaine Barge
Domaine Barge, a historic estate in the Northern Rhone, has been a cornerstone of Ampuis' winemaking heritage since 1860. The Barge family played a pivotal role in elevating the reputation of these wines, particularly in establishing the Cote-Rotie appellation.
Jules Barge, born into a grape-growing lineage dating back to 1860, made history in Côte Rôtie when he introduced Domaine-bottled wines to the market in 1929. His illustrious career ended in the early 1970s, at which point he passed the torch to his son, Pierre. During their eras, it was customary to craft a single Classique Côte Rôtie, blending wines from Côte Brune and Côte Blonde. However, in 1979, Gilles Barge, inspired by the commercial success of his father's remarkable 1976 Côte Rôtie, joined the family business. His vision upheld the essence of tradition, emphasizing whole-cluster fermentation and the use of predominantly neutral, aged barrels, notably demi-muids, for the aging process. In 2019, Julien Barge, officially assumed control of the estate, breathing new life into its legacy. His commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in his winemaking practices. In 2016, he boldly ceased the addition of sulfur to all white wines, prioritizing a more natural approach. He also introduced sheep to his vineyards and abandoned all unnatural treatments on the vines. His partnership with the land and vines is at the core of his winemaking philosophy, consistently yielding exceptional results.
Winemaking at Domaine Gilles Barge involves tank fermentation, followed by malolactic fermentation in vats. Aging takes place in various-sized barrels, including 228-liter barrels, 550-liter demi-muids, and used oak barrels ranging from 12 to 25 hectolitres. New oak is sparingly used, mainly for necessary replacements. The barrels typically range from 2 to 8 years old or older, ensuring a nuanced and refined aging process for their exceptional wines.
Domaine Gilles Barge boasts a diverse range of wines from Cote Rotie, St. Joseph, and Condrieu, sourced from 8 hectares of vineyards, predominantly owned by the estate. These vineyards are strategically situated on steep, rocky, terraced hillside plots in prominent lieu-dits, including Combard, Boucharey, Lancement, and Chavanay. Some vineyards are leased from other growers.
One of their most impressive of the Domaine Barge's portfolio is the AOC Côte-Rotie – le Combard 2016. It earned an impressive 94/96 rating from Parker and a commendable 93 from Jeb Dunnuck. The 2012 vintage also received high praise, achieving a rating of 93 from Wine Spectator.
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