Les Vignerons du Castelas Le Monarque Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2019 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious white wine from Côtes du Rhône. It's a new arrival to the LCBO and is featured as part of the theme on fresh French sippers in the May 15th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Les Vignerons du Castelas is a co-operative winery that was formed in 1952 by a handful of winegrowers that were keen to pool their efforts to produce appellation wines of high quality. The winery is located on the right bank of the Rhône River, between Pont d'Avignon and Pont du Gard in Rochefort du Gard, and named after Romanesque chapel from the XI century that is perched atop the village.

Today, there are 50 families of winegrowers that form Les Vignerons du Castelas to make wines that respect traditions and employ agricultural practices that respect the people and the land. Together, these winegrowers cultivate over 500 hectares of vines, with the majority in the Côtes du Rhône appellation. They are attached to their terroirs and vineyards, and are committed to healthy vines and living soils, while striving to pursue a "lutte raisonnée" form of viticulture to minimize their impact on the land.

This white wine is named "Le Monarque", after the butterfly that migrates from the producer's region every summer to Africa, a journey that can be more than 4,000 kilometres. This cuvée is a blend of 60% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 20% Roussanne from vineyards that are undergoing conversion to organic in order to promote responsible viticulture and also preserves biodiversity. The grapes were harvested in the morning to preserve freshness, then destemmed and fermented, and finally aged on the lees for 6 to 8 months prior to bottling.

Tasting Note:

LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS LE MONARQUE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2019 - AP, France (#18570) (XD) - $15.95
This delicious blend of 60% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 20% Roussanne has fresh and fragrant floral aromas off the top, followed by white peach, orange, ripe melon, and touches of sweet herbal notes. The dry, medium-bodied palate is ripe and slightly honeyed with pretty, floral, honeysuckle, peach, orange citrus, and melon flavours supported by fresh acidity. Some bitterness and leesy minerals add to the peach, melon, orange, and floral notes on the long finish. Lovely Spring sipper! Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines from Les Vignerons du Castelas can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.