Country: France  Region: Southern Rhône  Vintage: 2015 Category: White Wine  Color: White Producer: Château La Verrerie "Jean-Louis Descours fell in love with Château La Verrerie in 1981, when he was looking at retirement estates. As a result, he purchased the 20 hectare estate and along with his son Gérard, brought the estate back to winemaking life. A new winery was constructed and more vineyards were acquired with the sole ambition to make a great wine. Their first vintage was released in 1985. Today, the grandson of Jean-Louis, Christopher, also the owner of Charles Heidsieck, runs the estate with Olivier Adnot as the winemaker. Château La Verrerie is located in the Lubéron appellation. The domaine has 48 hectares of vineyard, with about 70% percent of the production red, 20% rosé and 10% white. Of the reds, half of the plantings are Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Cinsault and Carignan. Seven hectares are dedicated to Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc. The winery has recently completed its organic conversion and was certified organic from the 2013 vintage. Château La Verrerie Blanc is a blend of 33% Bourboulenc, 30% Clairette, 25% Roussanne and 12% Grenache Blanc. The wine is fermented in a combination of stainless steel and 25 hectolitre French oak casks in order to preserve the primary fruit while also adding body to the wine. Château La Verrerie reds (like the white) are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. They are then aged in old large oak casks (25 and 50 hectolitres). The Esprit de Bastide is a blend of 34% Carignan, 33% Grenache and 33% Syrah, while the La Verrerie Rouge is a blend of 52% Syrah and 48% Grenache. The reds are first aged for 12 months by varietal then blended and aged for another 10 months to marry the blend. New to our list this summer is La Verrerie Rosé. Certified organic, the wine is made using the saignée method from 67% Grenache and 33% Cinsault. It ages on its lees for a period of three to six months, which adds richness. La Verrerie Rosé is clean and perfumed with crisp acidity and a scented finish." Product Features: Certified Organic Vineyards: The domaine has 48 hectares of vineyard and about 70% of the production is red, 20% rosé and 10% white. Seven hectares are dedicated to Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache and Bourboulenc and 1.85 hectares located in IGP Vaucluse are planted with Viognier. The winery has recently completed its organic conversion and is certified organic from the 2013 vintage. Vinification: At the winery, the grapes were gently pressed and fermented at low temperature (16°C) to minimise the extraction of phenolics. The wine was then fermented in a combination of stainless steel and French oak casks in order to preserve the primary fruit while also adding body to the wine. The wine finally stayed on its lees for four months in stainless-steel tanks before bottling. Tasting Notes: "Appealing golden straw-yellow colour with silver-green hues. Aromas of peach, apricots and Rainier cherries on the nose, followed by precise notes of acacia and honey. On the palate, the wine is full and lush, reflecting the fruit and floral tones of the nose." Closure: Natural Cork  ABV: 13%