2012 Chateauneuf du Pape la Fontaine Blanc
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Tasting notes
Limpid yellow. Deep-pitched aromas of fresh melon and tangerine are sharpened and lifted by vibrant mineral and jasmine overtones. Juicy, concentrated and focused on the palate, offering intense orchard fruit and pit fruit flavors and a refreshingly bitter suggestion of citrus zest that contributes back-end cut. Finishes dry, spicy and smooth, displaying excellent persistence and an emphatic echo of orange zest.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
100% Roussanne. Open and a bit oaky. Interesting choice of variety. A bit heavy and galumphing. Chewy finish. (JR)
Even better, and one of the top 2-3 whites in the vintage, the Grand Veneur 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape La Fontaine Blanc is an off-the-hook effort that gives up mineral-laced notions of citrus, rose petal, white peach and honey to go with a medium to full-bodied, rich, layered and brilliantly focused profile on the palate. It will stand up to any number of high end white burgundies and should not be missed! Drink now-2017. Covering 30 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape (over 100 acres in Cotes du Rhone, Lirac, Vacqueyras and Gigondas), Domaine Grand Veneur is run by the incredibly talented Sebastien and Christophe Jaume. The style here, if looked at as a whole, is more traditional than not, with plenty of tank and stainless steel, yet their Chateauneuf du Papes are distinctly modern and spent plenty of time in small barrels. However, they never lose their Southern Rhone typicity, have gorgeous purity and also possess balanced, age-worthy profiles. These are some of the most exciting wines coming out of the region and they should not be missed! Note: the estate bottlings are released under the Domaine Grand Veneur label, and the negociant wines are released under the Alain Jaume et Fils label. The 2012 whites from the Jaume brothers are incredibly strong. Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228