Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2023

Domaine de Marcoux's white Châteauneuf-du-Pape is unusual for the appellation 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 the permitted varieties are led by Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne. Marcoux, run by the Armenier sisters at Orange, weights the blend towards Roussanne, which is atypical. Most of the Roussanne and Bourboulenc comes from two parcels: Les Esqueirons, where cool limestone-based soils suit white grapes, and Les Bosquets, where the Bourboulenc brings citric freshness and drive to the layered Roussanne. The remaining Grenache Blanc and Clairette are co-planted within predominantly red sites. The estate currently farms only one hectare of white grapes, with a further fifth of a hectare of Clairette coming on stream. The grapes are pressed as whole bunches and ferment naturally, mostly in steel, with an increasing portion raised in low-impact Stockinger cask and some sandstone amphorae.

Good on release and capable of ten years or more. Serve at 10 to 12°C with roast chicken, bouillabaisse or a rich pork terrine.

*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.