Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2022

Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is unusual among the appellation’s whites in being Roussanne-dominant, at up to 70 per cent of the blend.

White Châteauneuf-du-Pape accounts for only a small share of the appellation’s output and is usually led by Grenache Blanc or Clairette. Marcoux takes the other road: most of the wine is Roussanne, blended with Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc and Clairette. The Roussanne and Bourboulenc come chiefly from two parcels — Les Esqueirons, whose cool limestone-based soils suit white grapes, and Les Bosquets, where the Bourboulenc supplies citric drive against the layered Roussanne — while the Grenache Blanc and Clairette are co-planted within predominantly red sites. The domaine farms only about a hectare of white grapes, with a further fifth of a hectare of Clairette to come on stream. The grapes are pressed as whole bunches and ferment naturally, mostly in steel; an increasing share is raised in low-impact Stockinger cask, and Sophie Armenier’s son Vincent Estevenin has introduced some sandstone amphora. There is no bâtonnage and no malolactic conversion.

Approachable on release and capable of ten years or more. Serve at 10-12°C with roast chicken, bouillabaisse or a firm goat’s cheese.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.