Domaine du Pegau
Cuvée Réserve Châteauneuf-du-Pape White Rhone Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Popped and poured; no formal notes. As a long-time admirer of Laurence's Cuvée Réservée Rouge, this was my first time trying her Blanc. Admittedly, I have often struggled with white wines from the Rhône as they too often lack the acid I want. This is partly why I haven't made it a priority. However, I've had some very impressionable moments with well-aged Hermitage Blanc so I have remained open minded. Which leads me to this bottle of 2021 Cuvée Reservée Blanc; a blend of mostly Clairette with some Grenache blanc, Bourboulenc and a touch of Roussanne. From the very first smell, I was convinced that I had been clearly missing out. Beautifully perfumed with white flowers, cantaloupe, apricot and just a little citrus. This was so fresh, so sexy. It was equally sexy on the palate where all the notes were packaged in the most delightfully silky texture. The finish was long. It should be noted that we paired with rainbow trout, zucchini, summer squash topped with yuzu tobiko. This pairing slapped. Based off this experience, I would drink these now. That's not to say that they will be undrinkable with a few more years of age but I guess, why wait? The freshness is awesome and super compelling right now.
Popped and poured; no formal notes. As a long-time admirer of Laurence's Cuvée Réservée Rouge, this was my first time trying her Blanc. Admittedly, I have often struggled with white wines from the Rhône as they too often lack the acid I want. This is partly why I haven't made it a priority. However, I've had some very impressionable moments with well-aged Hermitage Blanc so I have remained open minded. Which leads me to this bottle of 2021 Cuvée Reservée Blanc; a blend of mostly Clairette with some Grenache blanc, Bourboulenc and a touch of Roussanne. From the very first smell, I was convinced that I had been clearly missing out. Beautifully perfumed with white flowers, cantaloupe, apricot and just a little citrus. This was so fresh, so sexy. It was equally sexy on the palate where all the notes were packaged in the most delightfully silky texture. The finish was long. It should be noted that we paired with rainbow trout, zucchini, summer squash topped with yuzu tobiko. This pairing slapped. Based off this experience, I would drink these now. That's not to say that they will be undrinkable with a few more years of age but I guess, why wait? The freshness is awesome and super compelling right now.
Aug 23rd, 2023
Stone fruits and beeswax. Great acidity. Very solid
Stone fruits and beeswax. Great acidity. Very solid
Oct 10th, 2021
Wednesday Wine Committee. Great hosting by Gavin. 1 sparkler, 4 whites, 4 reds and 2 dessert wines. All served blind as usual.
This wine was crazy. Aromatically, it smelled of fresh tar and concentrated pear juice (like from a can). Kind of lychee like, but not enough to be gewürztraminer. Medium acidity. Slightly rich toward the finish. This ended up being 60% clariette, 20% Grenache Blanc, and the rest a mix. Hard to guess blind. I called this Alsatian Pinot Gris.
Wednesday Wine Committee. Great hosting by Gavin. 1 sparkler, 4 whites, 4 reds and 2 dessert wines. All served blind as usual.
This wine was crazy. Aromatically, it smelled of fresh tar and concentrated pear juice (like from a can). Kind of lychee like, but not enough to be gewürztraminer. Medium acidity. Slightly rich toward the finish. This ended up being 60% clariette, 20% Grenache Blanc, and the rest a mix. Hard to guess blind. I called this Alsatian Pinot Gris.
How you feel about this wine coincides with how you feel about Brett. Not a huge fan of it but this is in the tolerable range. Left to me by a byob table who couldn't deal with the Brett.
How you feel about this wine coincides with how you feel about Brett. Not a huge fan of it but this is in the tolerable range. Left to me by a byob table who couldn't deal with the Brett.
Aug 25th, 2017
Best yet of the 08's I've had. Kudos to Laurence for such a fab result from a "difficult " year. Opened for 3 hours but not decanted this was instantly recognizable as a great bottle. If you can find this, buy it; as the 08 value vintage is substantially discounted.
Best yet of the 08's I've had. Kudos to Laurence for such a fab result from a "difficult " year. Opened for 3 hours but not decanted this was instantly recognizable as a great bottle. If you can find this, buy it; as the 08 value vintage is substantially discounted.
Dec 15th, 2016
Straw golden color. Oxidized a bit. Little hot at first but then great apricot and stone fruits when paired with scallops and salmon. Good body and light in the palate. Crowd pleaser.
Straw golden color. Oxidized a bit. Little hot at first but then great apricot and stone fruits when paired with scallops and salmon. Good body and light in the palate. Crowd pleaser.
Jan 24th, 2024