2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
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Tasting notes
Notes of lemon curds, dried herbs, and tons of minerality emerge from the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, which has plenty of similarities to the 2016, yet without that vintage’s density. Fresh, elegant, medium-bodied, and balanced, drink it over the coming decade or more. The Maurel brothers, along with rock star consultant Philippe Cambie, continue to knock it out of the park in just about every vintage, and since taking over control of the estate in 2002, they’ve yet to put a foot wrong. Even in the more difficult vintages, they’re able to produce charming, balanced, delicious wine, and in top vintages, they produce some of the greatest wines on earth. As I’ve written in the past, Clos Saint Jean is at the top of their game and producing some of the most singular, hedonistic and brilliant wines in the world. Also, I was able to taste a retrospective of the white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and came away thinking that current vintages might be some of the most under-the-radar, great whites of the appellation.
Critic scores
Average Score
John Livingstone-Learmonth, Drink Rhône
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Pale yellow. Vibrant, mineral-laced aromas of orange zest, green apple, nectarine and white flowers, plus a spicy ginger accent. Taut and energetic on the palate, offering intense, mineral-driven citrus and orchard fruit and honeysuckle flavors complemented by a refreshingly bitter quinine note. Finishes with excellent clarity and solid thrust, leaving floral and bitter pear skin notes behind.
The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc is a step up over the 2014 and offers terrific notes of stone fruits, pears and apple blossom in a medium to full-bodied, fresh, lengthy and elegant style.
Yellow robe with some green tints. White tobacco, pear skin, smoke and infused tea combine in a full nose that is apart from the majority. It has a comfortable presence. The palate bears stylish white fruits with a tangy take on the late stages, lengthening on a small note of tannin. The fruit is cool, and this will do well with fish such as halibut, sea bass in fennel. STGT Châteauneuf that is in touch with its roots. Sep 2016, www.drinkrhone.com
About the producer
Product details
Grenache Blanc / Garnacha Blanca, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne
White
Dry