Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

A very proper, full-bodied, organic white from the southern Rhône.

Rhône, France

Veggie/Vegan, Organic 

13.5% 

75cl 

MORE INFORMATION

Producer

The Maucoil is a historical estate with winemaking history dating back to the 17th century. The Arnaud family, who already owned vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, decided to purchase the estate in 1995 and devoted a great deal of energy and passion to Château Maucoil.

Viticulture

Château Maucoil’s vineyards are located in the northwest of the Châteauneuf du Pape area (on the left bank of the River Rhône) on the appellation’s four soil types: pebbles, clay-sandstone, Urgonian limestone and, more unusually, sand. Unlike the famous pebbles of the area, sand doesn’t retain and transfer heat during the night, resulting in slower ripening and more finesse. The youngest vines average 40 years old, so roots run deep to sustain the vines during the hot summer months. For the Tradition Rouge, four main grape varieties are selected solely from sandy soils – Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.

Winemaking

Yields are around 25 hl/ha and harvesting is carried out by hand, with the grapes individually sorted by variety and by parcel before vinification in concrete tanks. After around 30 days in vat, with pumping over, rack-and return and punching down, the wine is matured seperately for different lengths of time, in tanks and in 2-3 year old barrels. The wine is then blended and bottled. 2016 is hailed by Matt Walls an ‘unmissable’ vintage in the Southern Rhône (‘Southern Rhône 2016: ‘Unmissable’ wines’, Decanter 7th December 2017). 

Taste

Bright berry fruit, subtle savoury spice, ripe tannins and vibrant acidity. Open, approachable, and very easy to drink already but with a good life ahead of it.