We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
About This Wine
Certified organic. Les Arbousiers is not Réméjeanne’s most expensive white—that gong goes to the powerful, Roussanne-dominant Les Églantiers—yet we prefer this wine. It’s a blend of the estate’s oldest white plantings, including a parcel of Bourboulenc planted in the early 1970s by Olivier Klein’s grandfather, François. This year’s blend comprises Clairette (30%), Roussanne (30%), Bourboulenc (20%), Viognier (10%) and Marsanne (10%), with the Bourboulenc injecting a level of freshness that belies its apparently minor role.
The grapes are pressed as whole bunches and ferment with natural yeasts—the Roussanne in 1800-litre foudre and the remaining grapes in concrete vats (although Olivier has been experimenting with amphora from this vintage onwards). The wines rest on their fine lees for six months before blending and bottling. Given the age of the vines and varietal makeup, there is more depth and silken texture here, yet it boasts tension courtesy of the bright, sustained acidity. Dripping with floral, garrigue and light honeycomb depths, expect a gracefully orchard-fruited palate sculpted by the pulse of fruit-saturated acidity and a long and textured finish. It is a wine that underscores the great value you still find in France if you know where to look.
Type | White Wine |
---|---|
Varietal(s) | Bourboulenc Viognier Roussanne Marsanne Clairette |
Country | France |
Region | Rhone |
Brand | Domaine La Remejeanne |
Vintage | 2022 |
Wines of Rhone Valley
The Rhone wine region is situation in the south of France in the Rhone Valley. The region is split into north and south with distinctively different winemaking styles. In the north, the main grape used is Syrah and is sometimes blended with white varietals. In the south however, reds are a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. You may be familiar with this sort of blend; in Australia it is labelled GSM.
Wines are produced under various Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) designations. The most prestigious of which is Chateauneuf-du-Pape. You may also have heard of other AOC names such as Gigondas, Hermitage, Lirac, St Joseph. Wines coming from these and other AOCs are all on the higher end of the market.
On the value end we have wines produced in Cotes-du-Rhone AOC. Cotes-du-Rhone often refers to wines made in the Rhone Valley that do not fall under any other AOC, often from the flatter areas around Southern Rhone. However, it also does include the fringes of well-respected northern appellations as well. In terms of volume, a majority of Rhone wine falls under the Cotes-du-Rhone AOC and it offers some of the best value in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds.
Full-bodied and flavourful white wine blends are also made in the region. These are typically a combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier.