La fontaine

A propos des CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE blancs

“…a few special cuvées can rival the top Burgundies, especially the Roussanne cuvées of Beaucastel, Grand Veneur “La Fontaine”,  and La Nerthe.” Robert Parker

DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE white « La Fontaine » 2009 (95/100)  This is one of those rare cases where the 2011 is even better than the 2010. The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc “La Fontaine” exhibits plenty of honey, floral (especially rose petals), marmalade and tangerine skin characteristics in a full-bodied, rich, pure, well-structured and delineated style. Drink : 3-4 years. 

 DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE white « La Fontaine » 2009 (94/100) The 100% Roussanne cuvee, the expensive but very white Burgundy-like 2009 Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape La Fontaine blanc comes from 70+-year-old Roussanne vines and is aged 6-8 months in 600-liter demi-muids. It exhibits intense aromas of flowers, honeysuckle, candle wax, rose water, orange marmalade and apricots. Full-bodied with great acidity, the wood is pushed way to the background.

 Châteauneuf du Pape GRAND VENEUR « La Fontaine »  2008  (92/100) The 2008 GRAND VENEUR La Fontaine is also superb. Although slightly less powerful than the 2009, it is very similar. While these wines have the potential to drink well for a decade, I would recommend consuming them in the first 2-3 years of life.

 Châteauneuf du Pape, GRAND VENEUR "La Fontaine" 2007 (92 /100)  100% Roussanne showing plenty of honeyed pear and floral notes, superb fruit, a layered, full-bodied personality, great elegance, and precision.

 Châteauneuf du Pape, GRAND VENEUR  "La Fontaine" 2006 (92/100)The estate white Chateauneuf du Pape is a gorgeous wine, as Jaume continues to produce one of the top four or five white wines of the appellation almost on a yearly basis. The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape La Fontaine blanc is barrique-aged Roussanne and shows amazing grand cru Burgundian characteristics in its nuttiness, rich honeysuckle nose, with some exotic fruit character, great acidity, length, and richness. It tastes like a marmalade of rose petals, apricot, and lychee in an exotic, rich, classically structured style. This wine should drink well for at least 3-4 years and possibly longer, but it is almost impossible to know since there is so little of this wine available.