Presentation
The vintage
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…
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…
Terroir
Southern and northern terroirs blended.
Ageing
Ageing 8 months in new barrels, barrels from one and two vintages. Allier and Tronçais.
Varietals
Roussanne : 35%
Clairette : 25%
Grenache : 20%
Marsanne : 10%
Viognier : 10%
Clairette : 25%
Grenache : 20%
Marsanne : 10%
Viognier : 10%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 14% % vol.
Bottling : Without fining and light filtration.
Age of vines : Grenache : 70 years, Marsanne/Roussanne : 60 years, Clairette : 30 years, Viognier : 40 years years old
Advice
Serving
12°C
Do not decant.
Do not decant.
Reviews
"A great white that’s a year in, year out value, the 2018 Côtes Du Rhône Guy Louis Blanc is based on 35% Grenache, 20% each of Marsanne and Roussanne, and the rest Clairette and Viognier, sourced from both the Northern and Southern Rhône. Loads of ripe white peach, pineapple, and floral notes give way to a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, layered white that competes with some of the top whites out there."
"Bright and fresh, with an overt core of yellow apple, fennel, white peach and honeysuckle notes that works in unison from the start through the mineral-gilded finish. Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette and Viognier."
"No immediate oak impression although the wine has much more structure and savour than the Becs Fins. Solid and interesting and much better than many Château neuf Blancs. Could be GV if you like the southern RhOne style."
