Bosquet des Papes - Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2020

Blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette Rosé, and a smaller amount of Grenache Gris.

Since 1860, this domaine has been handed over from father to son by the Boiron family. For five generations, the philosophy of “Bosquet des Papes” estate is to produce laying down wines, meaning that they can be kept for many years, thereby respecting the traditions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. The domaine is now run by Nicolas Boiron and his wife Jeanne-Claire.

Most of the wooden vessels in the cellar are foudres but they are using more and more demi-muids maybe by influence of Philippe Cambie.

The domain covers about 40 different parcels, a total of 32 ha of which 3.5 ha are Cotes du Rhone. The average age of the vines is about 50 years. A 3.5 ha plot with vines aging around 100 years are used for Cuvée Chante le Merle.

There are two whites from this estate. Starting with the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc, it's a blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette Rosé, and a smaller amount of Grenache Gris. Light gold-hued with a kiss of grey, it offers beautifully ripe apple, lime, and tangerine-like notes to go with a crisp, clean, medium-bodied package that's wonderfully balanced and long. It's a classic, impeccably made white from this region that will evolve for a decade if well stored, although I'd drink bottles over the coming 2-3 years.