2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Vieilles Clairettes
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Tasting notes
With only 800 magnums produced each year, Isabel Ferrando’s Vieilles Clairettes sells out fast each year. The 2022 vintage is just gorgeous, the old Clairette from the 1940s producing crisp, late-ripening fruit. Again, we have this saline and mineral feeling on the nose, with a crisp element and a certain roundness that makes this truly gourmand. The medium-bodied wine offers a subtle and elegant vibrancy on the palate, with great depth and savoury pineapple and lime notes. The long finish has character and weight. This is so good that you want to keep sipping it. This will be bring joy young but is obviously built to age gracefully, especially in magnum.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Speciale Vieilles Clairette is heavenly juice, and I don't think anyone in the world is doing Clairette at this level. Possessing a Burgundian-like subtle reductive character as well as incredible notes of ripe pineapple, crushed stone, honeyed flowers, and spicy, very subtle toasty nuances, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, focused mouthfeel, riveting precision and purity, and a great finish. The 2022 is all old vine Clairette Rose raised in demi-muids and, I believe, smaller foudres.
The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Speciale Vieilles Clairettes has come together beautifully since I tasted it from foudre last year. Medium- to full-bodied and bursting with energy, the 2022 showcases prominent quince, grapefruit, ripe pear, yellow apple, melon and honeysuckle Focused and layered, the concentrated 2022 closes with a delicate salty sensation and excellent length.
A step up, the not yet bottled 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Special Vielles Clairettes is 100% old vine Clairette brought up in demi-muids. Quince, honeysuckle, salty minerality, citrus oil, and spicy nuances all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered, elegant profile, riveting purity and precision, and a great finish. It would put many a Grand Cru White Burgundy to shame.
About the producer
Famille Isabel Ferrando is a leading wine producer in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.