(2024) Made by the les Vignerons d'Estezargues co-op, this Côtes Du Rhône is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc and Viognier weighing in at just 12.5% abv. There's a really pleasant Cox's pippin and lemon fruit character on the nose, both citrus fresh and with a bit of peachy ripeness, as well as creaminess/nuttiness, presumably from some lees ageing. In the mouth it has texture and a certain richness, the fruit tempered and understated, and yet that makes it so gastronomic and so versatile, with easy-drinking charm and yet the savouriness to make it broadly food friendly. A very useful little wine this.
(2022) From the Rhône Valley, the blend is 40% clairette, 35% grenache and 25% picpoul. Quite creamy, but fresh on the nose, taut apple fruit leads on to a softer, fuller palate, teetering on the edge of peachiness, but a decisive and pithy lemon acidity sharpens things up again to a refreshing, lightly saline finish.
(2022) A big blend here of 30% roussanne, 30% clairette, 20% viognier, 10% marsanne and 10% bourboulenc. Around 10% was aged in large oak foudre. Creamy, fat apple on the nose, a little cut of lime, before the palate shows lovely sweetness and clarity, a great juiciness here, so much sweetness of fruit but a sherbetty-bright acidity too.
(2022) A blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc, this is nutty and immediately suggests some breadth and power on the nose, stone fruits and a nutty, dry fig and apricot character. In the mouth there is plenty of ripe fruit and palate weight, a fairly concentrated and intense style this, but with only 13% alcohol and very good acid, it is not flabby but finishes with a blast of saltiness and citrus.
(2022) This is a white Côtes-du-Rhône, 100% Viognier, from an estate which has been certified organic since 2011. It's a truly lovely Viognier, with enough 'heady' perfume of apricot and blossom, but then plenty of citrus and firmer, pear and apple freshness too. In the mouth it wears its 14% alcohol lightly, though that does help give this texture and weight, it stays crisp and cool through to the finish.
(2017) A blend of Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Viognier and Bourboulenc, the nose here is surprisingly delicate, just a touch of white flowers to zesty citrus and apple skins. In the mouth it has the texture and acid grip of so many white Rhône blends, a juicy but taut and pithy lemon character, just a touch of Viognier peachiness softening the edges a touch.