2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Vieilles Roussanne

Of the two whites, the 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Vieilles Roussanne appears the be the clear winner in 2017. Brioche, caramelized apples, spice, and ample citrus notes all flow to a full-bodied, powerful, yet beautifully elegant Roussanne that will benefit from a year or two of bottle age. Located just across the hill from Rayas, Chateau de Vaudieu continues to make a ripe, sexy, quasi-modern style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They release a number of cuvées, most of which are small parcel releases intended to highlight a specific terroir. These are powerful, rich wines that never lose their sense of balance and purity.