Most of you are well aware of the excellent red wines coming out of France's Rhone Valley, but did you know they make equally delicious white wines. More often than not, like their red wine counterparts, Rhone white wines are a blend of multiple varieties. Over the years, winemakers have learnt that by combining varieties, you end up with a wine greater than the sum of its parts.
The Cellier des Dauphine Blanc is composed of 45% Viognier, 42% Grenache and 13% Marsanne. The Viognier provides body, unctuousness and a spectrum of stone fruit flavours (apricot, peaches), Grenache Blanc brings richness, minerality and soft acidity, whilst Marsanne gives notes of peach, pear, almonds and a lovely waxiness to the texture. The end result, a perfectly balanced wine that offers a fabulous alternative for Chardonnay lovers in particular.
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Composed primarily of Viognier blended with Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, this wine displays a bright hue with golden tints. This is a traditional style of wine characterised by a rich nose of yellow fruit and ripe peaches. The fresh palate reveals crisp, juicy notes of freshly-picked apricots combined with subtle toasted notes and a touch of vanilla on the finish."
90/100 Anna Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast, September 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"This bottling is a seamless and refreshing composition of 45% Viognier, 42% Grenache and 13% Marsanne. Warm and inviting on the nose, find notes of candied lemon zest, white wildflowers and warm stone. The palate offers medium weight and texture with a bright saline finish. An easy accompaniment for a summer picnic."