2020 Rhône – Châteauneuf and Vacqueyras whites

34% Grenache Blanc, 34% Roussanne, 32% Clairette. Aged 10 months in new oak. 
Creamy oak and round, juicy fruit add a tropical aspect to the wine. In its way quite well done but the palate is heavy and dry on the finish. Refreshment not guaranteed. (JL)

45% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 15% Bourboulenc, 15% Clairette. 
Grassy, green-apple aroma and flavour. Prominent acidity that is sharp and aggressive. Rather astringent finish. (JL)

34% Grenache Blanc, 33% Roussanne, 33% Clairette Rose. Aged six months in tank. 
Apple and mineral nose. Ripe but juicy and fresh on the palate with a density of fruit and stony, minerally edge that runs alongside. Clean, long finish. (JL)

42% Clairette, 32% Roussanne, 11% Bourboulenc, 10% Grenache Blanc, 1% each Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Picardan, Picpoul Blanc, Picpoul Gris. Aged six months in foudre (65%) and old barrels. Organic.
Ripe, round and fruit-driven but with a subtle hint of toasted oak. Palate rich and concentrated but manages balance with a zesty overtone. Slightly drying finish but plenty of matière and potential to develop. (JL)

40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Roussanne, 20% Bourboulenc. Aged five months in tank. Organic.
Dusty and metallic with a bitterness to the palate. Sweet but with a sharp-edged finish. (JL)

40% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc, 15% Grenache Blanc, 15% Roussanne. Aged in tank.
Light and airy with green-apple notes on the nose. Reasonable volume on the palate with an acidity that adds freshness but jars a little on the finish. (JL)

25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette, 20% Clairette Rose, 20% Bourboulenc, 10% Grenache Gris. Aged six months in tank (80%) and demi-muid.
Lively and fresh with a note of quince and apple. Medium-bodied palate, juicy and fresh with a stony, minerally edge and finish. Guaranteed refreshment. (JL)

35% Grenache Blanc, 35% Roussanne, 20% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc. Aged five months in tank (80%) and demi-muid.
Creamy and oaky, the oak dominating a very sweet palate. Behind, the fruit seems much greener, the finish dry and astringent. (JL)

100% Roussanne. Aged eight months in new oak (50%) and tank (50%).
Rich, tropical and creamy on the nose, the oak quite persistent. Lends a sweetness to the palate but there’s apple-like fruit behind. Seems a bit disjointed but may come together. (JL)

80% Roussanne, 10% Clairette, 10% Grenache Blanc. Aged six months in concrete. 
Quite complex nose with apple and a honeyed edge. Lovely balance to the palate with pitch-perfect fruit and just the right amount of freshness. Long, tangy finish. (JL)

20% Grenache Blanc, 20% Picpoul Blanc, 20% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc, 20% Roussanne. 
Attractive apple and pear aroma. Supple and creamy on the palate with well-integrated oak. Maintains a minerally freshness which lingers on the finish. Really quite persistent. (JL)

55% Grenache Blanc, 45% Clairette. Aged five months in demi-muid (30%) and tank (70%).
Lifted apple aroma with a touch of citrus. Palate round but fresh and driven, the acidity matching a generous density of fruit. Appetising and harmonious. (JL)

50% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette. Aged nine months in old (50%) and new (30%) barrels and tank. 
Bruised apple with creamy oak. Palate juicy but dull with a short, dry finish. Doesn’t excite that much. (JL)

40% Clairette, 30% Roussanne, 14% Bourboulenc, 10% Grenache Blanc, 2% each Clairette Rose, Picardan, 1% each Grenache Gris, Picpoul Blanc. Aged seven months in tank (85%), new oak barrel (11%) and amphorae (4%).
Subtle, reserved but with an intensity of fruit. Mouth-filling and concentrated on the palate but remains harmonious, a minerally freshness giving length on the finish. Potential to evolve. (JL)

40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc, 10% Roussanne. Aged in tank (50%) and new oak. Organic.
Citrus and apple notes. Ripe and round on the palate but the citrus note stays the length and there’s some minerally complexity as well. Definitely has reserve and there’s the potential for ageing. (JL)

Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul Blanc, Picardan. Organic. Tasted at the domaine.
Expressive and exuberant with a real explosion of fruit. Pear, floral and aniseed notes. Palate full, round and rich but with a minerally freshness and citrus edge. Very persistent. Lovely now but will age. (JL)

40% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette. Aged four months in old barrels. Organic.
Rich and full with pear and floral notes and a creamy edge of well-integrated oak. Quite intense and fruit-driven on the palate, the ripeness there but gently restrained. Tangy-dry finish. (JL)

45% Grenache Blanc, 35% Roussanne, 10% Bourboulenc, 10% Clairette. 
Dusty and grassy with a definite green edge. There’s some sugar ripeness but the rest doesn’t follow. Cutting acidity on the finish. (JL)

40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc. Aged in 100% new oak.
Grassy and green with a bitter edge. Medium-bodied but sharp and angular on the finish. (JL)

40% Clairette, 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Bourboulenc, 10% Roussanne. Aged in tank (80%) and demi-muid. 
Appley top-note but a bit dusty as well. Quite zesty on the palate but the acidity does stick out. Sharp, angular finish. (JL)

70% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc. Aged in tank. Organic.
Apple and hazelnut aroma with the apple reappearing on the palate. Lighter textured and a touch grassy. Bitter-tangy finish. (JL)

70% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Picpoul Blanc. Aged 17 months in concrete. 
Discreet nose with a grassy note. Palate a bit sweet and sour, the upfront fruit is sweet but there’s a bitter-dry edge on the finish. (JL)

60% Grenache Blanc, 40% Roussanne. Aged 12 months in old barrels. 
Grassy, green-apple aroma and flavour. Fresh with medium-bodied weight but the acidity is a little cutting. Dry, astringent finish. (JL)

35% Roussanne, 35% Grenache Blanc, 15% Bourboulenc, 15% Clairette. 
Fragrant and floral with lime-tree notes. Palate less promising, the fruit a little dull and then a dry, slightly chewy finish. (JL)

Green-apple notes with a tanginess to the palate. Acidity sticks out a little, the finish a little short and sharp. (JL)

60% Roussanne, 30% Clairette, 10% Grenache Blanc. Aged six months in tank.
Apple and pear aromas but a slight grassiness on the palate. Medium bodied with a stony, mineral edge and green-apple acidity on the finish. Thirst-quenching for sure. (JL)

30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, 20% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc. Aged 10 months in tank (80%) and new oak. 
Reticent nose with a faint apple and citrus note. Lovely depth to the palate, the fruit full and round and the oak well integrated. Just enough freshness. Should evolve in an interesting way. (JL)

Reticent and reserved, the palate with a round, creamy edge and stony freshness. Some well-integrated oak but doesn’t give much away. Could evolve in an interesting way. (JL)

50% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 15% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc. Aged eight months in tank (70%) and old (20%) and new barrels. 
Creamy, stone-fruit aromas with a hint of oak. Ripe but surprisingly dry on the palate. Clean and fresh with reasonable persistence. Touch of oak again on the palate but carries its weight well, the alcohol barely perceptible. (JL)

80% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne, 7% Clairette, 3% Bourboulenc. 
Fruit-driven and floral on the nose. Round but fresh. Medium bodied, balanced and ready to go. (JL)

51% Grenache Blanc, 24% Bourboulenc, 14% Clairette, 5% Roussanne, 3% Picardan, 3% Picpoul Blanc. Organic. 
Lively and fresh on the nose with almond and pear notes. Sweet and ripe on the palate with a minerally edge. Shortish length. Early drinking. (JL)

50% Roussanne, 50% Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc. Tasted at the Guigal cellars.
Mealy and toasty on the nose but the oak well integrated. Plenty of depth and breadth on the palate but drive and persistence as well. Intense but balanced. Can clearly go the extra yard. (JL)

60% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc. Aged in concrete egg (40%), new oak (20%) and tank (40%).
Fruity and floral with generous fruit on the palate. Juicy and round, the ripeness at perfect pitch. Zesty finish. Best drunk young to make the most of that fruit expression. (JL)

60% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, 20% Clairette. Aged seven months in concrete tank (80%) and new and old oak (10% each).
Subtly and agreeably toasty, the oak well integrated and supporting the fruit. Full, round and broad across the palate. Lots of fleshy fruit but stays harmonious and fresh. Best with food. (JL)

50% Grenache Blanc, 50% Roussanne. Aged nine months in old barrels and concrete.
Ripe and creamy with confit-fruit notes and well-integrated oak. Full, round and fleshy on the palate. Quite big and sweet but the alcohol well maintained, a zesty edge providing balance. (JL)

60% Clairette, 40% Roussanne. Aged six months in tanks. Organic.
Lifted nose with pear and floral notes. Juicy and balanced on the palate. Seems to have a certain reserve and freshness on the finish. Everything in order but a little shy in expression. (JL)

60% Grenache Blanc, 10% Picardan, 10% Picpoul Blanc, 10% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 5% Roussanne. Organic. Tank aged.
Richer colour. A floral note but quite reserved. Full, round and fleshy on the palate with more of an apple flavour. A bitter freshness in behind, the acidity a little jarring on the finish. (JL)

70% Roussanne, 30% Bourboulenc. Aged nine months in tank (60%) and demi-muid. Organic.
Ripe but vibrant with a hint of buttery oak. Palate round and sweet, the oak present but integrated and some juicy fruit behind. Long and dry on the finish. Could be of more interest if it shrugs off the oak. (JL)

70% Grenache Blanc, 30% Bourboulenc. Aged eight months in tank (75%), demi-muid (20%) and old barrels.
Full and creamy with a hint of melon and stone fruit. Palate ripe, full and round but zesty as well. Juicy and fleshy with appetising acidity that runs all the way through. (JL)

50% Clairette, 40% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc, 5% Bourboulenc. Aged three months in tank.
Quite lithe and fresh with floral and apple-skin notes. Certainly, less weighty but there’s a depth of fruit, freshness and balance. (JL)

70% Grenache Blanc, 15% Bourboulenc, 15% Clairette. Aged in tank. Organic.
Apple aroma with a herbal edge. Palate initially has sweetness but finishes with a grassy, chewy, bitter note. (JL)

50% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Bourboulenc. Aged seven months in old barrels.
Creamy and toasty, the oak apparent but integrated in the fruit. Palate full, round and fleshy, the fruit with an attractive ripeness. Some sweetness but finishes dry, the oak again making its presence. (JL)

Grassy and a touch musty, the palate supple but lacking in zest, the finish green and chewy. (JL)

55% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 15% Roussanne, 10% Picpoul Blanc. 
Long and linear with sufficient weight of fruit. Some sweet ripeness but the appley acidity and freshness carry the wine along. Clean and precise in execution. (JL)

47% Roussanne, 38% Grenache Blanc, 13% Clairette, 2% Bourboulenc. Aged six months in tank (30%), demi-muid (30%) and new and old barrels (20% each). Organic.
Touch of reduction but blows away to reveal a more floral edge. Round and intense on the palate with impressive concentration of fruit. Oak present adding sweetness. Just sufficient freshness. Clearly has the capacity to age. (JL)

25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 25% Bourboulenc, 25% Clairette. Aged for six months in concrete (80%) and new oak. 
Grassy, apple-skin aroma and flavour. Medium bodied with drive and persistence. Juicy but the acidity just a little piercing. (JL)

60% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne, 10% Bourboulenc. Aged eight months in tank. Biodynamic.
Zesty, baked-apple note with a mealy, nutty presence. Touch of oak on the palate but integrated, the fruit ripe, round and juicy with a freshness that runs all the way through. Quite complex with a honeyed note on the end. (JL)

70% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc. Aged in demi-muid (50%) and tank.
Creamy oak just a little too heavy. Cuts the refreshment value and augments the sweetness. Shame as there’s some juicy fruit in behind. Dry finish. (JL)

50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, 20% Clairette, 7% Picardan, 3% Bourboulenc. Aged 10 months in tank (80%) and new oak.
Apple and cream nose. Palate sweet but with a leanness to the fruit, the buttery oak dominant. Chewy finish. Not really all together. (JL)

40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, 20% Clairette Rose, 10% Bourboulenc, 5% Picardan, 5% Picpoul Blanc. Aged six months in new oak (25%) and stainless steel (75%).
Apple and pear aromas. Ripe and round with a touch of oak. Fleshy with a bitter-fresh finish. (JL)

50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, 20% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc. Aged nine months in tank (90%) and new oak. 
Grassy and green on the nose. Supple and fleshy but the acidity does stick out a little. Tangy-bitter finish. (JL)

40% Roussanne, 40% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc. Aged eight months in old barrels.
Confected nose, the oak and sweetness to the fore. Heavy and tiring, the oak and alcohol again showing on the finish. (JL)

Tropical notes with a hint of oak. Full and round but sweet and rather dull. Tails away on the finish. (JL)

40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Bourboulenc, 10% Roussanne, 10% Clairette. 
Green-apple notes, the palate light and astringent. A little musty as well. Sharp and angular on the finish. (JL)

50% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette, 25% Bourboulenc. Aged in old barrels. 
Dull and a little heavy without any aromatic attraction. Palate fleshy and round with adequate fruit and a stony freshness but little length on the finish. (JL)

33% Roussanne, 29% Clairette, 28% Grenache Blanc, 10% Bourboulenc. Aged in tank (75%) and old barrels.
Delicately floral on the nose, the palate round and succulent with a minerally freshness. Persistent finish. (JL)

60% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 10% Clairette. Aged six months in demi-muid (50%) and tank. Organic.
Creamy and buttery on the nose and palate, the oak leading the dance. But there is juicy fruit behind. Just not sure it will get the measure of the oak. (JL)

35% Clairette, 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 15% Bourboulenc. Aged in tank (55%) and new oak (45%). Organic.
Reticent but complex with just a hint of melon and stone fruit. Palate generous and full with a density of fruit and minerally edge that runs all the way through. Touch of oak on the finish but hidden depths here with freshness and balance. (JL)

60% Clairette, 40% Grenache Blanc. Aged in tank.
Apple and apple-skin aroma and flavour. A touch of sweetness to the medium-bodied fruit then dry. Green acidity marking the finish. Texturally a little tart. (JL)

60% Clairette, 40% Roussanne. Aged six months in demi-muid. Organic. 
Creamy on the nose with some buttery, toasted oak. Palate ripe, round, zesty and juicy with the buttery oak still present. Appealing but the finish is a little (oak) dry. Needs food. (JL)

35% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 15% Bourboulenc, 15% Roussanne, 3% Picpoul Gris, 2% Picardan. Aged 10 months in new oak (40%) and tank (60%). Organic.
Bruised apple with the creamy edge of oak. A little too much sweetness from the oak on the palate, the fruit a little light and left behind. Oak again on the finish but there is some freshness. (JL)

70% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc. Aged in tank. 
Perhaps a floral note but aromatically quite discreet. Full and fleshy on the palate but with a bitter edge behind and on the finish. Seems out of sync but could evolve. (JL)

Fresh and floral, the palate with a lighter touch. Plenty of minerally refreshment and quite persistent on the finish. (JL)

40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Bourboulenc, 20% Clairette, 10% Roussanne. Aged in tank.
Pleasant apple and pear aroma and flavour. Palate a little flat but sufficient fruit. Just lacks a little zest and is short on the finish. (JL)

34% Grenache Blanc, 33% Roussanne, 33% Clairette. Aged nine months in new (67%) and old barrels.
Rich, creamy and tropical, the oak clearly apparent on the nose and palate. A little too sweet and heavy, the alcohol present on the finish. Lacks refreshment. (JL)

Tank sample. Toasty, stone-fruit aroma. Palate full and round but with a coconut overlay. Clearly oak influence with acidity that sticks out. Too confected for my taste. (JL)

60% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc, 10% Viognier.
Viognier comes through on the nose, the stone fruit apparent. Ripe but fresh with good acidity to match the sweetness of fruit. Short on the finish. Drink soon. (JL)

45% Marsanne, 25% Roussanne, 15% Grenache Blanc, 15% Viognier.
Grassy and underripe on the nose. Acidity marked on the palate. Aggressive and lacking fruit. (JL)

80% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette. Organic.
Restrained nose with a slight creamy edge. Full and round on the palate but with a surprising line of acidity. Bit short and hard on the finish. (JL)

50% Clairette, 30% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc. Aged nine months in tank.
Slightly reductive nose initially then floral, apple and pear notes. More complexity than initially imagined. Palate full and suave with a slight honeyed edge and bitter-edged freshness. Some potential to evolve. (JL)

50% Roussanne, 25% Clairette, 25% Viognier. Aged in tank (80%) and new oak.
Aromatic, stone-fruit nose with notes of peach and apricot. Round and fleshy but with a minerally edge, a bitter note providing freshness on the finish. (JL)

60% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne.
Subtly aromatic with a delicate note of pear. Palate ripe and round with some sweetness. Lacks freshness on the finish. Cloying. (JL)

Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne. Aged in tank (50%) and demi-muid and barrel. Organic.
Delicately fragrant nose with floral and apple notes. Palate round and full with a slightly bitter edge. Low acidity but the zesty bitterness provides some freshness. (JL)

40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Clairette, 20% Marsanne. Organic.
Light, grassy and floral. Easy in style but not very exciting. (JL)

40% Clairette, 40% Roussanne, 10% Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier. Organic.
Undistinguished nose with a grassy edge. Some sweetness on the palate with a bitter freshness but lacks harmony and focus. (JL)

50% Viognier, 25% Roussanne, 20% Marsanne, 5% Clairette. Aged in 500-litre barrels. Organic.
Creamy Viognier apricot and peach aroma. Ripe but restrained on the palate, the fruit full but bright, a line of acidity giving drive and keeping everything in proportion. Some well-integrated oak. Quite long on the finish. (JL)

50% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette, 25% Roussanne. Organic.
Attractive stone-fruit aroma with a creamy edge. Palate has a real depth of ripe fruit; round and gourmand with just enough acidity to provide balance. Ideally a wine for the table. (JL)

50% Bourboulenc, 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne. Biodynamic.
Subtle pear, mineral and chalky notes. Vibrant, long and linear on the palate with plenty of drive. Bright acidity so real tension. Clean, fresh, persistent finish. Aperitif or with food. (JL)

45% Clairette, 30% Roussanne, 16% Grenache Blanc, 9% Viognier. Tank sample.
Lifted and fruity on the nose. Palate clean but neutral. Marked acidity but no real excitement. (JL)

25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Bourboulenc, 25% Marsanne, 25% Viognier. Aged in tank. 
Aromatically restrained with just a hint of the Viognier. Round, supple and fresh, the finish clean but short. (JL)

70% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier. Aged in tank.
Aromatically dull with just a grassy edge. Some sweetness to the fruit but notable acidity. Slightly astringent finish. (JL)