From Les Gallimardes vineyard, the light straw-colored 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc (a blend of Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Clairette) was aged primarily in tank as well as a small amount of oak. It offers notes of honeyed grapefruit, pear and quince in a medium-bodied, fresh, lively style. It can be enjoyed over the next 1-2 years. This morsellated estate, which has nearly 50 acres of vines (all organically farmed) spread throughout the appellation, has been resurrected and reinvigorated by Francois and Marie Giraud, whose cellars are in the northwest area of the village of Chateauneuf du Pape, close to Clos du Mont Olivet. Philippe Cambie, the consulting oenologist, has helped make this one of the up-and-coming super-stars of the appellation. In top vintages, three cuvees are produced, the classic Tradition along with single vineyard offerings from the Les Gallimardes lieu-dit and a spectacular wine called Les Grenaches de Pierre from 105 year old Grenache vines planted in pure sand from the Grand Pierre lieu-dit adjacent to Chateau Rayas. A white Chateauneuf du Pape is also produced. The 2009 red Chateauneuf du Papes performed better from bottle than they did last year from barrel.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565