Maltus Ambre Bordeaux Blanc 2020

Ambre de Maltus Bordeaux Blanc is made from 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillion.

Malolactic fermentation.

The wine was aged in French Oak barrels for a few month (between 6 and 8 months depending on the barrel's toastiness and cooper)

Delicious with grilled fish or grilled vegetables

Review:

"A blend of mainly Sauvignon Blanc fermented in new wood, this wine is ripe and smoothly textured. It offers hints of herbal flavors but the main thrust is towards spice and white-fruit flavors. - Roger VOSS"

- Wine Enthusiast (February 2020), 90 pts

Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is made from 80% Roussanne, 10% Grenache Blanc and Clairette, 10% Piquepoul Blanc, Picardan and Bourboulenc

The story :
The production of white wine at Beaucastel is limited as we only have 7 hectares of white vines planted. The main variety is Roussanne, representing 80% of the blend.

The vintage :
The 2020 vintage in Southern Rhône was favoured by very good weather conditions, it is a generous vintage, both in terms of quality and quantity. Not as hot as in 2019, this year was very windy, throughout the growing cycle, with light rainfalls. After a fairly mild winter (one single episode of frost was noted during the night of March 24, but only the early ripening plots were very slightly affected). The spring was radiant, quite warm and very windy, which allowed the soils to preserve their freshness. Flowering began on May 18, under very healthy conditions. The good weather continued in June, July and August, with plenty heat but lower temperatures than in 2019, cool and humid nights and wind which continued to blow, preserving the freshness of the vines and maintaining perfect sanitary conditions for the grapes. The harvest, which was fairly early, therefore began under these very good conditions on August 26 with the white Côtes-du-Rhône and continued until the end of September with the Mourvèdre. September was warm at the beginning of the month and then more temperate, offering idyllic harvest conditions and allowed each plot to be harvested at perfect maturity. The harvest was very healthy with beautiful juicy and very ripe grapes, reasonable alcohol levels, good acidity and already a great balance. Yields are slightly higher than 2019 and the first tastings predict a very nice vintage.

Location :
Château de Beaucastel has 7 hectares of white varieties.

Terroir :
Molasse seabed of the Miocene period covered by diluvial alpine deposits (rolled pebbles).

Ageing :
Handpicked in small cases, sorting of the grapes, pneumatic pressing, settling of the juice, fermentation (30% in oak barrels, 70% in tanks) for 8 months. Bottling after 8 months.

Review:

"Closed for now, with apricot and a touch of crème anglaise. Full-bodied but not massive, this has plenty of tension that keeps things neat, a shining beam of acidity running through it. Real length and intensity here, it's remarkably saline this year, displaying great power and balance. 80% Roussanne, 10% Grenache Blanc and Clairette, 10% Piquepoul Blanc, Picardan and Bourboulenc. Part of the blend was matured in two and three-year-old barriques for one year."
Decanter 98 Points

Chateau Suau Bordeaux Blanc is made from 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon.

The grapes are destemmed and sorted on a table in the cellar. Fermentation in regulated stainless steel tanks at low temperature. Aged on fine lees during three months.

This wine reveals complex aromas of honeysuckle, citrus and pineapple. It’s refreshing and expressive. An excellent depth of fruit as well as a long finish with a nice acidity. To be served at 8°- 10°C with seafood and grilled fish, or as an aperitif.

Review:

"Made from 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon, 10% Muscadelle; aged sur-lie for three months; a beautiful, traditional white Bordeaux with perfect fruit/acid balance and great length."

Chavy-Chouet Bourgogne Blanc Femelottes is made form 100 percent Chardonnay.

This is a charming, rich, focused and delightful white. Medium-bodied with a smooth texture, the wine has a fresh backbone of acidity, clean apple and citrus flavors, and an excellent balance. A most refreshing quaff and one that is great value. A delicate, expressive wine of exceptional quality.

The grapes from this wine are grown from the Puligny-Montrachet area. (either outside of the AOC limit or with younger vines).

The grapes from this wine are grown from the Puligny-Montrachet area. (either outside of the AOC limit or with younger vines).
Aged 10 months in oak barrels (10% new, the rest in 2-3 year old barrels).

2020 Burgundy was a hot and dry vintage, producing wines slightly bigger on the palate. For producers who used the vine's own canopy to protect from heat and had the forethought to prepare for an earlier than normal harvest, well we have ourselves a unique and buy worthy vintage.  The early harvest helped to ensure low pH levels and high acidity, as well

as small concentrated berries. These variables all come together in a lush mouthfeel with firm structure. 

Chavy-Chouet Bourgogne Blanc Les Saussots is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. A medium yellow straw color in the glass. On the nose, you will find layers aromas of cured lemon and hints of coconut and mango. On the palate, the juice has clean flavor, fresh acidity, and excellent balance. Vanilla notes follow through to the slightly creamy finish. 

The grapes from this wines are grown from the Meursault area. (either outside of the AOC limit or with younger vines).

Seafood, fish, salad or by itself as an aperitif. 

Drink this one now or over the next 3 to 4 years.

2020 Burgundy was a hot and dry vintage, producing wines slightly bigger on the palate. For producers who used the vine's own canopy to protect from heat and had the forethought to prepare for an earlier than normal harvest, well we have ourselves a unique and buy worthy vintage.  The early harvest helped to ensure low pH levels and high acidity, as well

as small concentrated berries. These variables all come together in a lush mouthfeel with firm structure. 

Grand Veneur Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc La Fontaine is made from 100% Roussane.

Yellow-gold color. The nose is rich in aromas of citrus fruit, tropical fruit, quince and honey, with a touch of vanilla. On the palate, the same aromas appear together with a fatness combining exotic fruit and vanilla : the wine is rich, generous and elegant, with extraordinary length. "La Fontaine" is often considered to be one of the best Châteauneuf du Pape white, and it is by definition a superb gastronomy wine.

Best between 1 and 8 years.

Review:

"Based on 100% Roussanne brought up in 50% new barrels, the medium gold-hued 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Fontaine Blanc has a rocking bouquet of ripe melon, honeyed pineapple, and toasted bread that carries to a pretty, pure, focused yet still medium to full-bodied white offering beautiful freshness and length. It's going to have over a decade of prime drinking, and I'd give bottles another 6-12 months before opening."

- Jeb Dunnuck (November 2021), 94 pts

"The all-Roussanne 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc La Fontaine boasts scents of toasted grain, ripe peach and pineapple. Full-bodied yet fresh, with a long, mouthwatering finish riddled with lime zest and sherbet, it's a super example of white Chateauneuf. Tasted twice (once blind), with the review reflecting the better bottle. The wood seemed clumsier in the other sample, clashing with the lush fruit ."

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (May 2022), 94 pts