2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Pure Clairette
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Pure Clairette (fermented and matured in a Stockinger foudre and a Stockinger demi-muid) features notes of toasted grain, grilled white peaches and a hint of pineapple. It's medium to full-bodied and plump but also zesty and long, achieving a lovely sense of balance. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
There are two special cuvées from this talented team. Looking first at the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Pure Clairette, it has a vivid gold hue to go with a thrilling nose of ripe pineapple, honeyed peach, white flowers, and a distinct, chalky mineral-like character. These all carry over to the palate, where the wine is medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity of fruit, perfect balance, and a great finish. It's flat-out impressive and up with the creme de la creme of the vintage.
Lovely soft and floral aroma - a slightly nutty kind of honeysuckle scent. Medium- to full-bodied, well balanced, with lovely freshness and pinpoint acidity. The finish rolls on like a luxury duvet. An example of just how fresh and seductive Clairette can be in the right hands. From a parcel in lieu-dit Bois Sénéchaux on north-facing sandy soils. Just 3,000 bottles produced.
50% Clairette Rose, 50% Clairette. Vinified and matured for eight months in foudres (60%) and demi-muids (40%). Tasted blind. Quite mute on the nose but suggests fresh white flowers. Plenty of zippiness on the palate, which has a rich buttery mid palate and a layered finish – very interesting as it has both creaminess and excellent freshness. A textured, very enjoyable style
About the producer
Domaine Raymond Usseglio is one of the leading producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, producing a number of different red and white cuvées from the appellation. The domaine’s most famous wine is their Châteauneuf-du-Pape Impériale, which comes exclusively from vines that are over 100 years old.