Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Clos de Beauvenir" Blanc AOC 2022

A powerful, dry white wine from a single historic parcel that holds density and mineral tension together. On the nose, white peach, ripe pear and citrus blossom, underscored by almond and dried herbs. The 15.0% vol. lends richness without weighing the wine down.

The Clos de Beauvenir lies just below Château La Nerthe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the southern Rhône, and alongside Les Cadettes is one of the estate's two historic vineyards. Its higher limestone content is the reason it's reserved for white varieties. In total, La Nerthe farms 92 hectares across 57 parcels, spanning the appellation's four main soil types.

Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified separately by parcel, fermented spontaneously with native yeasts. Vinification and ageing remain separate by parcel, twelve months in a range of vessels from barrique to stone vat, before estate director Rémi Jean composes the final blend. The vineyard has been certified organic since 1998, with no synthetic fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides.

Dense and creamy, threaded with a chalky vein that gives the richness definition. The long finish reveals yellow plum and lemon zest over saline minerality.

With pan-seared turbot in butter sauce, Bresse chicken with morels or aged Comté. Also pairs well with lobster and veal sweetbreads.

From 1782, Château La Nerthe was the first estate in the region to bottle its own wines. Today the range comprises four Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, two white and two red. After ten or more years of bottle age, they gain in complexity.