Proper white Côtes du Rhône - fresh, medium-bodied, vinous made using the southern Rhône white grape varieties.
The nose is pretty and delicate, just hints of hedgerow flowers. The flavours are nuanced and refined rather than overt. Careful use of oak adds texture and vinosity to this very drinkable white.
Boutinot's love affair with the southern Rhône is both enduring and unswerving. They believe to their marrow that they can make great wine there. And for this reason, they have bought their first vineyard in France, in the southern Rhône - in the village of Cairanne, you'll not be surprised to learn! Ten years ago they first glimpsed the potential of the vineyards of Cairanne when they released the 2000 vintage of La Côte Sauvage. Now they have several plots of old vines they can call their own and begin to realise their dream of making even better wine. Over the past decade or so they have built enviable relationships with a network of local growers and will of course continue to source grapes and wine from their trove of prized vineyards for their full range of Rhône wines.
For the fourth vintage, they sourced premium grapes from seven vineyards in the southern Rhône picked at dawn for pressing the same morning. Clairette adds freshness and acidity to the blend. 50% Grenache Blanc, 22% Rousanne, 22% Clairette and 6% Viognier
Boutinot are always experimenting and some of their experiments never see the light of day … but this one they just couldn't ignore!It began in 2009 with the debut vintage of 'La Fleur Solitaire' Côtes du Rhône Blanc - a true micro cuvée crafted from only 7 barrels of fantastic wine producing less than 3,000 bottles. The grapes are pressed gently and fermented at low temperature. They increased the proportion vinified in stainless steel to 77% and for the components fermented and matured briefly in oak, they used only 300l barrels, 50% new oak and 50% 2nd fill.
A lovely aperitif or with light starters and grilled fish.