We finished the tasting with the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne, with the Roussanne and Grenache Blanc aged in neutral barrel and everything else in tank, it offers up notions of quince, white currants and flowers to go with a balanced, clean feel on the palate. Possessing fantastic purity and terrific acidity, it should drink nicely for 2-3 years. Drink now-2016.
Always one of the highlight visits during my time spent working in the Southern Rhone, Clos Saint-Jean, which includes over 100 acres of prime terroir in Chateauneuf du Pape (mostly in the south), is run by brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel, with consulting help from the incredibly talented Philippe Cambie. Releasing 5 Chateauneufs in top vintages, they also pair up with Manfred Krankl, of Sine Qua Non in California’s Santa Barbara County, and release another high-end cuvee call Chimere. While the winemaking here is often labeled as modern, it is actually relatively traditional, with the Grenache almost always aged in tank and only the Mourvedre and Syrah seeing time in larger, 500-600 liter oak barrels, or demi-muids. In addition, the cuvees may also include small amounts of whole-cluster fermentation. Regardless of how you classify it, the results speak for themselves and there are few wines in the world I’d rather drink.
Importers: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565 and Paul M. Young, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (323) 222-2003
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