Panel tasting results: Stunning southern Rhône cru whites

When it comes to excellence in white Châteauneuf, Chante Cigale springs to mind immediately. This is an old family-owned estate that’s currently crewed by a...

The Brunel family have been winemakers in the southern Rhône for centuries; they bought Château de la Gardine in 1945. It’s a significant property, with...

This might be a relatively new estate for Châteauneuf, established as recently as 1973, but brother and sister Christophe and Isabelle Sabon have built Domaine...

Château de Vaudieu, owned by Laurent Bréchet, is a reliable source of excellent white Châteauneuf, particularly in a vintage such as 2024. It’s a blend...

In the 16th century, this estate was a silkworm farm; it refocused on viticulture in 1930. In 2015, it was bought by Christian Latouche, owner...

This Lirac estate was acquired by Châteauneuf estate Château de la Gardine in 1998; its excellence in white winemaking can be seen across multiple appellations....

This, the second wine in the tasting from Le Clos des Cazaux, is a new cuvée, made from pure Clairette planted in 1922. It’s fermented...

Le Clos des Cazaux, owned by Jean-Michel and Frédéric Vache, has not one but two wines scoring 95 points – an impressive achievement, but this...

This organic-certified estate is located in the heart of Vacqueyras, with 58ha of vines spread over four appellations. It was founded in 2003 by Jérémy...

Gigondas introduced white wines into the appellation from the 2023 vintage, so it contains a lot of young vines. Those belonging to Teyssonières are much...

This large family estate in the heart of the village is today run by young brothers Thibault and Benoît Brotte, the fifth generation. They own...

The Ravoire family has deep roots. Originally from Savoie, they settled in the southern Rhône in 1471. Winemaking has been in their blood for many...

Loïc Massart established his organic winery Les Chemins de Sève as recently as 2013; his progress has been rapid, and he’s now among the best...

Pierre Amadieu, established in 1929, makes two white Gigondas. Both are excellent, but the 100% Clairette cuvée Grand Romane, from vines planted in 1958 on...

Initially reserved, with a herbal note and sweet fruit. Rounded palate gains freshness, energy and intensity as it opens, finishing linear and focused. A delicate,...

Lemon, apricot and rhubarb, white spice and assertive oak. Concentrated, fresh palate, with bright acidity and taut structure. Enough fruit intensity to absorb the wood...

Buttered pear, fennel and rosemary rise from the glass with grapefruit and a floral lift. Rich, oily texture meets grainy freshness. A vinous, bitter edge...

Grilled lemon, aniseed and fennel lead into scrub herbs and bitter almond. Rounded yet bright. Saline freshness, gentle Mediterranean bitterness and modest alcohol.

Orchard fruit, peach, bitter lemon and floral lift. Fresh and textural. Clear flavour without weight, moving cleanly towards a long, persistent and distinctly Lirac finish.