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Strange and paradoxical… This vintage has reserved us quite a few surprises, and
still raises questions. Although described as « Great » by some Vignerons, its strong
heterogeneity, depending on the sectors, imposes us to be attentive, measured, though hopeful.
2018 : the vegetative cycle is early. Spring sees generous rains and heat strokes
alternate. According to “Elders”, from memory one has to get back to the 60’ to observe such pressure of diseases in the vineyard. And, unfortunately for some Domaines, the processing windows would, in the main, only open at the week-ends… The vintage therefore promises to be technically complicated, demanding meticulous, tedious, even relentless work, in the vineyards. Damage and losses vary… but yields on Grenache are historically low… Providentially, once again, we could count on Mother Nature’s final “nudge” ! Without hesitation we can assert that the quality of the remaining grapes, the quality of their juice, is mainly due to a brilliant month of September.
Indeed, the weather conditions during the harvest were almost perfect. Cool but sunny weather, with well-marked, valued, thermal amplitudes… The Vigneron was able to choose in all serenity the ideal moment to harvest, plot of land by plot of land, without having to operate any constrained arbitration…
La Crau, Palestor, Les Gardioles
AgeingAgeing 8 months in new and one year old barrels. Allier, Tronçais and Jupille.
12°C
Decant just before service.
13,5%
BottlingWithout fining and light filtration.
CépagesGrenache blanc : 40 % Roussanne : 30 % Clairette : 20 % Bourboulenc : 10 %
Bright and well-defined right from the get go, with both rich and racy green melon, green plum, white peach and star fruit flavors, laced with a lemon shortbread hint. The long finish lets the fruit play out, while a honeysuckle note adds range.
Wine Spectator
, 93/100
, 2021-06-30
This estate makes incredible whites, and the 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes Blanc is well worth seeking out. Revealing a medium gold hue as well as great aromatics of white peach, pineapple, white flowers, and spice, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a rounded, elegant texture, bright acidity, and a great, great finish. It's stunning today and I suspect it will keep for upwards of a decade.
Jeb Dunnuck
, 96/100
, 2020-12-14
An up-front, pretty version of this cuvée that leads with its fruit, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes Blanc offers lots of honeyed pineapple, white flowers, quince, and subtle toasty notes to go with medium to full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. It shows some classic bitter almond and minerality with time in the glass and has a great texture, good overall freshness, and a great finish.
Jeb Dunnuck
, 93/100
, 2021-08-11