Clos de L'Oratoire des Papes - Blanc2018
WHITE WINE
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Producer
Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes
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Blend
Borboulenc
Clairette
Grenache Blanc
Roussanne
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Country
France
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Region
Rhone Valley
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Appellation
Chateauneuf Du Pape
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UPC
0 15643 63932 6
Technical Details
Description
Although Châteauneuf du Pape wines are well-known today, in particular for their great red wines (95% of the appellation) mainly from Grenache Noir varieties, connoisseurs will recognize in the white wines all the signs of a great 'terroir'. Two limestone plots at the Terroirs du Clos are kept for a wine whose uniqueness has no equal with regard to its delicacy, which will seduce palates that are seeking freshness and minerality.
Estate
Located in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region in the Rhône Valley, Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes is named in honor of the small 18th century oratory (oratoire in French) that overlooks its original 49.5-acre vineyard plot. In 1880, Edouard Amouroux became the owner of this parcel, which was planted to Syrah, and contained the small oratory that had been dedicated to St. Mark. By the 1920’s the Amouroux family was already bottling their own Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine from this vineyard parcel naming their vineyard Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes. As a tribute to its rich history, the wine’s distinctive label design has remained unchanged since its original design in 1926.
Vinification
Direct pressing of whole clusters takes place in a pneumatic winepress followed by settling for 12 hours at a very low temperature. Fermentation starts in stainless steel tanks and 580-gallon concrete ovoid tanks between 59 and 64°C, then post-fermentation filtering to eliminate the largest sediment and the separation of the lees. The Roussanne is fermented in new barrels and aged for 6 months on fine lees in ovoid tanks, which creates a natural stirring of the lees.
Tasting notes
The color is a beautiful golden yellow with glints of green. The nose expresses the specificity of this wine, with aromas of white fruit (apple, pear), orange blossom, aniseed and lemon and woody undertones. The palate has much presence, is very fruity, with finesse, breadth and sweetness, but retaining a good balance of freshness.
Ideal with fish, shellfish, spicy dishes or as an aparitif.