Clos des Papes 2012 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

The estate's outstanding white wine is made from 3 hectares on clay-sandy, galet stone covered soils mainly on La Croze, usually from equal shares of Grenache blanc (richness), Roussanne (gras), Clairette (elegance), Bourboulenc (acidity), Picpoul (acidity), Picardin (elegance, since 2000), “Picpoul & Bourboulenc hyper important for the acidity in the wine” - Vincent Avril. Steel vat fermented at 12°-16°C, raised on lees 6 months, fined before Christmas, malo blocked.  2012: "shiny, fine yellow; white peach, appealing summer scents and flowers on the nose: an interesting bouquet, has genuine Rhône depth, gras and bounty that are well channelled. There is a very good transfer from the nose to the palate: the white fruits are fine, accompanied by licorice and aniseed. Tender wine which is a good whole, while its acidity and degree work together. Hazelnut is marked, while there is a nectarine skin taste also. There is round, appealing late content, a delightful final point of aniseed. The texture and aroma are lovely here. “The Picpoul and the Bourboulenc are hyper important in a year like this; the Grenache blanc risks too high a degree; maturity was very good this year,” Vincent Avril. “Drink it with turbot, salmon, lobster à la plancha.” Drink until 2015, then it will shut down, so revert from 2021. Less Grenache blanc this year (10%) after coulure and and 1% more of each of the other varieties. Drink until 2035" - drinkrhone