THEWINEMONOLOGUES.COM: 2006 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

2006 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

One of the most profound wine appellations in the world is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is an Appellation d'origine controlee ("AOC") located in the southern part of the Rhone Valley in southeastern France.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape roughly translates to "The Pope's new castle". It refers to the fact that the town, just north of Avignon, was chosen as the new home for Pope Clements V's court in the early 14th century.

The terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes from its layers of stones (or "galets") and sand. This layer of stones retains heat during the day and releases it at night hastening the ripening of the grapes. The stones can also insulate the soil underneath, retaining moisture in the dry summer months.

The vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are known world wide for their rich, full-bodied, spicy, Grenache based red blends (there are 13 sanctioned varietals that can be used to make the blends). Did you know though, that they also make some world class white wines or "blancs"?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

White Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are blends of six sanctioned white varietals: Grenache Blanc and Roussanne provide fruitiness and "thickness" to the blends, while Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picpoul and Picardan add acidity and floral and mineral notes. The styles of these white wines can range from lean and minerally to oily and rich. Some Châteauneuf-du-Pape blancs are made to be drunk young while others are age worthy and can be cellared for years before they are enjoyed. The tasting profile of the age worthy wines tend to be very complex with flavors including peaches, almonds, star fruit, fennel, honey and anise, to name a few.

2006 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

Born and bread from one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's most distinguished and famous vineyards, "La Crau", the 2006 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Blanc is a real "thinking man's" wine. It is layered with complexity. It's varietal breakdown is 40% Clairette, 30% Grenche Blanc, 15% Bourboulenc, and 15% Roussane.

Bright pale gold in the glass, the nose is full of a complex layer of peaches, honey, almonds, canteloupe, smoke, ginger and white pepper (each time I dipped my nose in, I picked up something new). The palate is also a complex array of apples, peaches, lemons, minerality, almonds, and limes. It is a perfectly integrated wine with great balanced acidity and no flavor that overpowers any of the others. It is better at room temperature than chilled as more of the flavors come through. This particular bottle will "peak" soon (it is 5 years old) and then dip a bit in taste until about 8 years from vintage when it should "bloom" again to age very well for years to come. http://www.vieuxtelegraphe.com/

I have long been a fan of Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds and now I am also a huge fan of their whites. This bottle cost me $40.00 (which is a deal as it was about $72 at its release). It still has some time left before it peaks and I cannot recommend the '06 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc enough.

Most people do not know about the Châteauneuf-du-Pape blancs because they are a bit hard to find. One should be on your wine "bucket list" though. Go seek one out and give it a try for yourself.

Cheers!!