96/98

Still not yet bottled, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clairettes is another thrilling white from this address. Pear, honeyed melon, pineapple, flowers, and hints of brioche all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity of fruit, a rich yet still lively and fresh mouthfeel, and a great finish. Along with Beaucastel's Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, this cuvée is at the top of the appellation and is utterly world class.

The debut vintage for the newly renamed Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clariettes pops from the glass with its honeysuckle, white flowers, lemon peel, white peach, pear and almond nose. On the palate, the wine balances between its freshness and depth of fruit. Crisp, long and clean with a racy acidity to all the vibrant yellow citrus, this is going to offer pleasure young, yet age and evolve. Half of the wine was vinified in neutral glass vats which adds a lot of lift and vibrancy. After the vinification, only 30% of the wine was aged in the neutral tanks while the remainder of the wine was aged in used foudres. The wine is made from 100% Old vine Clairettes.

95/97

Ho hum, another year, another terrific example of old-vine Clairette. The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Speciale Vieilles Clairettes hints at honey and white peaches, then rounds into shape with the addition of gentle toast notes and plenty of lime zest. It's medium to full-bodied, clean and refreshing, with hints of fennel fronds. It's long, sleek and classy. As usual, this will be bottled only in magnum. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. 2022 - 2027

point

Ho hum, another year, another terrific example of old-vine Clairette. The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Speciale Vieilles Clairettes hints at honey and white peaches, then rounds into shape with the addition of gentle toast notes and plenty of lime zest. It's medium to full-bodied, clean and refreshing, with hints of fennel fronds. It's long, sleek and classy. As usual, this will be bottled only in magnum. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. 2022 - 2027

94 point

Coming in at 14.5% alcohol, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clairettes reveals an alluring perfume of honeysuckle, jasmine, grapefruit, white peach, apricot, melon, pastry and a pinch of pineapple. Full-bodied, oily-textured, showing remarkable precision and zesty acidity, the bright finish has great persistence. As usual, 800 magnums were produced.