I don't like white Rhones.

WINE TALK
41

Up to now I haven’t felt qualified to chime in on this topic because I drink so few white Rhones, but then again who does?

At times I have been turned off white Rhones because of too many oxidized Chateauneuf du Papes (like older Pegau), when I didn’t understand that for some reason, they were supposed to taste like that.

Then I was turned off by the high prices of white Rhones.

Then I had a private tasting at Chapoutier in Tain of their current releases, and concluded that they were among the greatest wines in the world, but again at what price?

I have also had the opportunity through one of my friends who is the importer/distributor of Vernay to taste the range of their wines for the past few vintages. They are fantastic, but again pricey.

Through the same friend, I have recently had a 2007 Chteauneuf from Berthet-Rayne. Very nice, and well priced, but what does this wine offer that is distinctive?

About six months ago Costco had 2003 Guigal White Hermitage on sale for $30/each, and after tasting a bottle, I returned to buy another 6. That was a great deal, obviously at a distributer close-out price. The wine had so much extract and body, it was more like a red, and it paired beautifully with a thick, grilled, New York strip steak.

All in all, I guess MY verdict is mixed. As long as I don’t have to pay, there are many white Rhones that have been great. If I have to pay, I have never found a bottle at its regular price that I thought was worth buying.

42

The most memorable Condrieu I have ever tasted was one that Francois Villard was pouring at the Hospice du Rhone here in Paso in 2007. I’m not sure of the vintage, but it might have been the '05, which was on the WS WOTY list. It blew me away. That being said, I bought several of his second/lesser label wines at a local shop a few months later (an '06), and while on first taste was very good, there was not nearly enough acidity, and it was very palate fatiguing after one glass.
I guess it must be like Burgundy- kind of hit and miss. [wow.gif]

43

Linda, Guys like Villard, Cuilleron, Gaillard, Vernay make a lot of different wines including lowly Vin de Payes and Vin de Table wines so there will be a lot of variation. If you liked Villard’s wine, try to get a Les Chaillets Condrieu from Cuilleron to try. My favorite of all the wines these guys make.

44

Historically, Hermitage blanc was the most prized white wine–it was more expensive than Montrachet.

I love whites from the north and south of the Rhone–Chave Hermitage blanc and Beaucastel blanc being my two favs.