2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Château de Vaudieu

SF: An attractive nose; chalky, orchard fruit, yellow fruit and soft spice give a great first impression. The palate is restrained, tight, but has intimations of impressive length and capacity to develop. LR: This is a refreshing style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape showing great complexity and concentration. However, it's fun and vibrant with good acidity, which balances out the weighty fruit flavours. MW: This is a gentle yet vivid wine with some interesting stony aromas along with lime leaf and pickled ginger. It's full and broad, but has firm acidity that really cuts through the rich, ripe fruits and wakes you up. The alcohol is perhaps just a little raised, but this is a big wine with everything in balance. It's vibrant and buzzing. Drinking Window 2017 - 2025.

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc leans towards the leaner end of the spectrum, with vibrant acidity in its apple blossom and citrus aromas and flavors. It's nicely balanced on the palate and its notable freshness and purity should allow it to age gracefully. This vintage is a blend of 52% Grenache Blanc, 35% Roussanne and 13% Clairette that was brought up in a mix of older barrels and stainless steel. I continue to find the wines from Chateau la Nerthe outstanding, however, the shift towards leaner and leaner wines is troubling.

Partially barrel-fermented and matured, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc blends two-thirds Grenache Blanc with one-third Roussanne to create a white with a fine balance of richness and freshness. Hints of honey accent the tangerine and mandarin orange flavors, while this plump wine still finishes vibrant, clean and briny. 2017 - 2020.

White Rich, with a honeyed feel to the creamed yellow apple and peach flavors, backed by singed hazelnut, meringue and lemon curd notes. The lush finish keeps this focused, with a flash of candied citrus peel. Drink now through 2019.-J.M.