Coralie Goumarre is the first woman winemaker at this superb ninth-generation Chateauneuf estate. She has converted to organic farming, cut the yields dramatically, and in the case of her white (a specialty), started fermenting in new French oak (225 and 500-liter barrels), as well as aging in oak on the less for 18 months on the fine lees.
The result is an almost Burgundian white Chateauneuf, with unusual richness and depth.
She says:
A white Châteauneuf du Pape with elegance in its pale yellow color, fresh, fine, complex, with a superb aromatic amplitude. It reveals the best fish dishes, baked sea bream, grilled tuna, white meats.
The press (what little there is of it) agrees. Falstaff rated this 93 points, saying:
Strong golden yellow, silver reflections. Intense and attractive bouquet of fresh apricot, fine wood savouriness, tangerine fruit, ripe yellow tropical fruit and a hint of nougat. Juicy and elegant on the palate, delicate fruit sweetness, mineral foundation with good length and hints of caramel and pear on the finish.
And Dunnuck rates it outstanding, too, saying:
Not yet bottled, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is based largely around Grenache Blanc that's aging in new oak. It has a deeper gold hue as well as a big, exotic nose of honeyed lemon, acacia flowers, toasted spices, and brioche. It's a rich, medium to full-bodied, exuberant effort that still holds onto a good sense of freshness.
And a Vin Remarquable for the French Guide Hachette:
A wonderfully golden color, a bouquet between saffron, toasted almond and immortelle flower, a fleshy, ripe and rich palate where stewed mirabelle plum intrudes, a lively finish: this is a wine of character which will give its full measure at the table, after a little cellaring.
