Presentation
The vintage
It took just a few days…few days to oscillate a vintage between a « Great Vintage » and a « Complex vintage ».
However, the winter, finally « classic », rocked by a fairly rigorous cold, pushed back any risk of spring frost.
The vegetative cycle was regularly watered by abundant rains. The diseases were putting pressure on the vinegrowers !
Nonetheless, the experience of the 2018, year with high mildew, still engraved in the vinegrowers’memory, made it possible for them to carefully control this pressure.
The vinegrowers serenly entered the summer season, with good water reserves and a beautiful harvest in perspective.
Moreover, rare fact, the summer granted us a few days of mild rain.
On August 15th, the rhodanien vineyards were healthy and green. The vinegrowers were rejoicing as everything was a hallmark to a “Great Vintage”.
Unfortunately, as is often the case over the last few years, Mother Nature decided otherwise. For a couple of days, the French vineyards, and most particularly the Rhône’s suffered a wave of extreme heat.
Leaving little chance to the grapes of the young vines and early ripening terroirs.
Only old vines, and not even all, of low yield, on protected terroirs and late ripening, found resilience in getting their berries to optimal ripeness.
The catastrophe was avoided. However, the qualities were very heterogeneous, even amongst the most experienced cellars….
Once again, our meticulous work of selection will have found all its meaning this year!
Paradoxally, the whites are very digest and balanced. On the palate, they are bright and harmonious.
The quality of the reds however, are more varied from one grape variety to the next. Against all expectations, the Syrah played its card right, with fruits without any excess. The wine issued from Old vines Grenache are racy and precise!
However, the winter, finally « classic », rocked by a fairly rigorous cold, pushed back any risk of spring frost.
The vegetative cycle was regularly watered by abundant rains. The diseases were putting pressure on the vinegrowers !
Nonetheless, the experience of the 2018, year with high mildew, still engraved in the vinegrowers’memory, made it possible for them to carefully control this pressure.
The vinegrowers serenly entered the summer season, with good water reserves and a beautiful harvest in perspective.
Moreover, rare fact, the summer granted us a few days of mild rain.
On August 15th, the rhodanien vineyards were healthy and green. The vinegrowers were rejoicing as everything was a hallmark to a “Great Vintage”.
Unfortunately, as is often the case over the last few years, Mother Nature decided otherwise. For a couple of days, the French vineyards, and most particularly the Rhône’s suffered a wave of extreme heat.
Leaving little chance to the grapes of the young vines and early ripening terroirs.
Only old vines, and not even all, of low yield, on protected terroirs and late ripening, found resilience in getting their berries to optimal ripeness.
The catastrophe was avoided. However, the qualities were very heterogeneous, even amongst the most experienced cellars….
Once again, our meticulous work of selection will have found all its meaning this year!
Paradoxally, the whites are very digest and balanced. On the palate, they are bright and harmonious.
The quality of the reds however, are more varied from one grape variety to the next. Against all expectations, the Syrah played its card right, with fruits without any excess. The wine issued from Old vines Grenache are racy and precise!
Terroir
Font de Michelle, Les Gardioles, Cabrières, Plateau de Mont-Redon
Ageing
Fermented and aged 9 months in new,one and two years old barrels
Allier – Tronçais – Jupille
Allier – Tronçais – Jupille
Varietals
Grenache blanc : 40%
Roussanne : 25%
Clairette : 20%
Bourboulenc : 10%
Piquepoul : 5%
Roussanne : 25%
Clairette : 20%
Bourboulenc : 10%
Piquepoul : 5%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 13,5% % vol.
Bottling : Without fining and light filtration.
Age of vines : Grenache/Bourboulenc : 60 years, Roussanne 40 years Clairette/Picquepoul : 50 years years old
Advice
Serving
12°C
Decant just before service.
Decant just before service.
Reviews
"Crafted from vines planted on a mix of galets roulés and safres, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Blanc reveals a delicate, complex bouquet of white fruits, spices, white flowers, almonds and orchard fruits. Medium to full-bodied, round and enveloping with a satiny attack that segues into an elegantly fleshy palate built around bright acids, this concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. "
