Châteauneuf-du-Pape White Rhone Blend

This was one of those surprise finds one sometimes has in the cellar. I only have the one bottle. Made from roughly equal quantities of all 6 permitted white varieties, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Roussanne, Picpoul and Picardin fermented cool and kept on lees for 5 months, no malolactic. Initial notes of tangerine and pear. I don’t get tropical fruit like some reviewers have said. A waxy texture, mandarin/tangerine and very ripe grapefruit - low acid - developing nutty notes. Rhone whites are always an adventure - remains delicious.

Defines that appellation on a high note.

Round and elegant, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc bursts from the glass with lively aromas of honeysuckle, acacia, dried lemon and orange peel, white peach, mango and a pinch of fresh ginger. Full-bodied, oily-textured and concentrated, this is a delicious Clos des Papes Blanc. Already drinking splendidly today, it will provide pleasure over the next 10 years. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2023)

Unctuous, lots of spice and mineral charge. Pale summer fruit, honeydew melon, white pepper and white flowers. Warm baking spice and orange peel. Some green coconut and subtle oak. This could come off as a bit too sweet but the sharpness of the minerals and a general savoriness bring this back from the edge. Great concentration. Needs time.

Wowza. Impeccably fresh, no oxidation or fatigue. Pure, elegant, true to place in everyway but surprisingly restrained and nuanced. Yes the texture is there but it’s acidity and nerve give this wine an additional dimension and finesse. Literally like drinking great white burgundy yet completely different. Yellow pear, yellow plum, quince, citronella, anise, lees, cream, chamomile, garrigue, spearmint.

What’s notable about this bottle isn’t that it was stellar (it was) but that it was consumed having lunch at a restaurant (outdoors) with someone other than my immediate family for the first time in many months. Of course the experience was enhanced by the gorgeous apple, pear, and lemon curd flavors shot through with chamomile and candle wax. There’s always such a sumptuousness to CndP Blancs that I love.

This is why I love CNP. So complex, nervy and alive. Great on its own and even better with dinner. Really enjoyed the cellar gem from 2014. Perfect Mother’s Day to share with my wine loving daughter. But would have many years ahead. Thank goodness for 2 more bottles in cellar!;-)

Complexity for days. Really opens up after about 90 minutes or so. Brilliant.

Thanks Joe for sharing this awesome bottle with us!! @Joe Lucca @David L @Shawn R @Bill Bender

2012