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2015 - Vintages in « 5 », vintages which bring good luck. Often…
Spell of the years in « 5 » ? The fact is that, in recent decades, Vintages ending in « 5 » - 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015 - , carry success stories, in Vallée du Rhône, but also, more generally, in the whole of the Vineyards of France. It must be said that 2015 put the odds on its side, with almost optimal climatic conditions for each and every season of the year! Thus, winter is rainy, allowing vines to benefit from good water reserves. Spring awakening is somewhat late - 3 weeks delay, compared to 2014, yet, the weather gradually settles, and flowering takes place in excellent conditions: the output of grapes is quite simply outstanding. The summer period arrives then quickly, with extremely hot months of June, July and August. Nevertheless, one cannot speak of heat wave, as the nights remain cool. Consequently, thermal amplitudes are absolutely phenomenal. No pressure from pests and diseases, the vineyard and the winemaker breathe freely. Everything is looking fine before the start of the harvest…
Ripe, but not too much. Summer and the month of September are punctuated by rains, avoiding the suffering of the vines, a key element during the summer period. The grapes mature slowly. Unfortunately, the rain that falls around September 20th is the "too much” rain... Pity, we were right next to a huge Vintage… But, well, no worry, the Style of the Vintage remains more than charming, with full, juicy, and silkiest Wines !
La Crau, les Gardioles, Cabrières, Plateau de Mont-Redon.
Type of soilRound pebbles and sand.
AgeingAgeing 12 months in new and one year old barrels. Allier et Tronçais.
12°C
Decant just before service.
The Wine is easily digestible, typical, on notes of fennel and scrubland !
14%
BottlingWithout fining and light filtration.
CépagesGrenache blanc : 50 % Roussanne : 35 % Clairette : 10 % Bourboulenc : 5 %
Starting off and a smokin’ good white from this family run estate, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Blanc checks in as 50%Grenache Blanc, 35% Roussanne and the rest Clairette and Bourboulenc. It comes from mostly sandy and pebbly soils (La Crau, La Gardiole, Cabrieres and Mont Redon) and is brought up in a combination of new, once and twice-used barrels. Rich, full-bodied, gorgeously pure and layered, with ample notes of ripe peach, buttered citrus and toasted bread, it has a touch of oak still showing, but will come together nicely in bottle and keep for a decade or more.
Jeb Dennuck
Wine Advocate
, 92-94/100
, 2016-11-01
Pale straw. Light honey nose. Quite weighty and well balanced but it lacks a real spark for me. Just a bit chewy and grainy on the end and seems a tad heavy. That’s Châteauneuf Blanc! Though there is some potential for further development.
Jancis Robinson
, 16/20
Guide Bettane et Desseauve des vins de France
, 16/20
, 2017-08-31