The only white produced, the light gold-colored 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc (40% Clairette, 40% Bourboulenc, 10% Grenache Blanc and 10% Roussanne) dishes out fresh, lively notes of citrus, lime juice, flowers and hints of mint to go with a medium-bodied, fresh and nicely balanced profile on the palate. Lightly textured and geared for near-term drinking, it should be consumed over the coming year or two. Drink now-2015.
These solid efforts come from the northern part of the appellation and, aside from their traditionally styled base cuvee (which is very good), show varying degrees of oak and relatively modern characters. The slightly richer and more concentrated 2012s seemed to handle this elevage more successfully than the more up-front 2011s. Nevertheless, these are all solid, well made efforts. In addition to the wines reviewed here, they also produce a 100% Grenache bottling called the Elixir des Papes.
Importers: Elite Wine Import Co., Lorton, VA; tel. (703) 339-8150; Eagle Eye Imports, Bloomfield Hills, MI; tel. 734-467-7088; Casa Bruno LLC, Portland, OR; tel. (503) 235-7429 and Blue Coast International, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1753, New York, New York 10165,Tel: (212) 867-0073
www.berthet-rayne.fr
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