2023 Pere Caboche - Chateauneuf du Pape HALF BOTTLE (375ml)

Domaine du Père Caboche is run by the Boisson family, who have worked as both vignerons and blacksmiths in Châteauneuf-du-Pape for generations. The family's nickname, Caboche, comes from an old Provençal word for horseshoe nails, a nod to that blacksmithing heritage. Jean-Pierre Boisson, the domaine's longtime winemaker and former mayor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, has recently stepped back from daily winemaking, passing the responsibility to his children, Emilie and Nicolas, who now guide the estate's wines.

This bottling comes from mature vines grown on the Le Crau plateau, one of the appellation's classic sites known for its rounded quartzite stones that store daytime heat and release it through the night. The blend combines eighty percent Grenache with fifteen percent Syrah and five percent Mourvèdre, and after fermentation the wine ages for about eight months across a mix of foudre, stainless steel, and concrete, a combination chosen to preserve freshness while adding gentle texture.

In the glass, the wine shows a bright ruby color, with a nose of chocolate and light smoke layered over red and black fruit, peppery spice, and hints of ginger and menthol. The palate is expressive and fresh, with fine tannins and a mineral edge carrying through a long finish. It pairs well with a Provençal beef stew, herb-crusted lamb, or aged Gruyère.