Oratoire St Martin Cairanne Haut Coustias Blanc 2020

Oratoire St Martin Cairanne Haut Coustias Blanc is a selection from the estate's oldest and lowest-yielding white vines, averaging seventy-five years of age.

Cairanne sits in the northern half of the southern Rhône and was promoted to its own cru in 2016. Domaine de l'Oratoire Saint-Martin has been in the Alary family since 1692 and farms biodynamically, with its best ground on La Montagne, the steepest and chalkiest part of the appellation. Haut Coustias Blanc is drawn from the coolest, chalkiest of those parcels, mostly east-facing, where the old vines crop at around twenty hectolitres per hectare. The blend is 30 per cent each of Clairette, Roussanne and Marsanne with 10 per cent Grenache Blanc, each variety harvested and vinified separately in concrete eggs before assembly. The wine achieved a following in France after Olivier Poussier, Meilleur Sommelier du Monde in 2000, compared it with white Hermitage. It is layered and confidently full-bodied, finishing with a nip of food-friendly phenolic grip.

Worth decanting and worth cellaring eight to ten years. Serve at 10-12°C with roast chicken, bouillabaisse or a hard sheep'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.