Vivid yellow. Mineral-tinged citrus and orchard fruit aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a suave floral accent with air. Silky and precise on the palate, offering bitter lemon pith and pear skin flavors that show fantastic power and a subtle, slow-building suggestion of iodine. A distinctly mineral, Chablis-like quality characterizes the remarkably long, penetrating finish, which strongly echoes the floral and citrus fruit notes. This deeply concentrated yet vibrant wine is one the most mesmerizing versions of white Chateauneuf that I have ever tried and, in fact, it measures up to some of the best white Rhones, period.

The finest white ever produced at this estate is unquestionably the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée A Tempo. Made by assistant winemaker Andreas Lenzenwoger, who’s increasingly leading up the white program here (for the better), it comes all from the Mont Pertuis lieu-dit located just to the east of the village, and was farmed all organically/biodynamically. I actually visited this vineyard last year prior to harvest and it was noticeably more healthy and vibrant than just about every other vineyard in the area. A blend of equal parts Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Roussanne that was vinified and aged five months in equal parts stainless steel tanks and French oak, there’s a tiny 100 cases to go around. It offers incredible notes of lychee, subtle pineapple, mint and hints of exotic herbs to go with a medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure, layered and concentrated feel on the palate. Hats off to Andreas for busting his butt in the vineyard and he’s made a sensational white that can be enjoyed today or cellared for a decade.