Domaine la Barroche, in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Rhone Valley, traces its history to wine-growing families in the 14th century. In the early 20th century the domaine was divided among several brothers. For decades the estate has been owned and operated by Christian and Nelly Barrot, who sold their wine to bulk negociants. In 2002 their son Julien, who studied viticulture at the University of Montpellier and then worked in vineyards around the world, joined the winemaking team. The domaine’s first commercial releases under its own label were in 2004 and 2005. The estate owns 37 acres mainly in the north and northeast of the appellation, and grows Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that the the domaine’s wines have been “brilliant” and gives much of the credit to Julien. “These stunning wines deserve serious attention,” Parker wrote.