Chateauneuf du Pape La Solitude Blanc 2017, Domaine de la Solitude

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Our Price:  £33.65Earn 33 Loyalty Points Bottle or Case:    Bottle:  £33.65  Case of 6:  £201.90  Case of 12:  £403.80 Producer:  Domaine de la Solitude Grape Varieties:  Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne Optimum Drinking:  Within 5 years Wine Style:  Full flavoured wine to be drunk with food Alcohol by Volume:  14.5% Closure:  Natural Cork Country:  France Availability:

Chateauneuf du Pape La Solitude Blanc 2017 - Domaine de la Solitude

Châteauneuf du Pape is by far the biggest and most important specific Rhone appellation that covers 7,400 acres of vines. Small crops are mandatory. Concentration is the very essence of this wine. Its vines grow in what looks like a shingle beach of big, smooth, oval stones that often cover the whole surface of the vineyard. Each vine is an individual bush.

Producer Note

Wines have been made on this estate for several hundred years, dating back to 1264 when the family arrived from Italy to serve the pope in Avignon. The three hats depicted on the label signifies two bishops and a pope, who were among the fore fathers of the Lançon family. Today, the domain with its 38 hectares in the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation, is passing to the next generation as brothers Jean and Michel Lançon are handing over the reins to Florent, Michel's son. Florent, who is passionate about innovative winemaking, while honouring traditional values, has recently started working with new tulip-shaped concrete vats which were initially designed for Cheval Blanc and are at the cutting edge of winemaking technology. Domaine de la Solitutude’s wines are renowned for their characteristic elegance whilst expressing the true origins of their terroir. 60% of La Solitude’s production is exported to the USA, Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and recently to Asia.

Vineyard

This domaine has one of the best terroirs in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with its abundance of rounded quartzite stones from the Villafranchian period. These stones absorb heat during the day then radiate it at night, promoting full grape maturity. The grapes are manually harvested, once each variety has reached phenological ripeness, based on grape tastings by an expert panel. The grape bunches are then meticulously sorted to remove any unwanted fruit.

Winemaking

The grapes were pressed immediately upon arrival at the winery. The juice was cold settled and then fermented in temperature controlled tanks. The wine was racked and then aged on its fine lees in small tanks with regular stirrings. Part of the Roussanne was matured in new oak for a short period, adding complexity to the resulting wine. The wine was then bottled during the spring following the harvest.

Tasting Note

An elegant wine of great complexity, with citrus aromas enveloped in layers of minerality and herbal nuances. On the palate, this wine is full-flavoured with a creamy texture, powerful and long.

Serving Suggestion

Roasted or seared turbot; or light cheese.

Grape

Clairette 55%, Roussanne 20%, Bourboulenc 15%, Grenache Blanc 10%