2015 Chateau Jas de Bressy, Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, Rhone Valley, France.
Tasted in a blind tasting and was immediately impressed with the substance and richness of this Chateauneuf Blanc from Vignobles Mousset-Barrot under their Chateau Jas de Bressy label, it’s a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc and 50% Roussanne that was sur lie raised, with the grapes coming off 80 year old vines. This tiny parcel of white grapes makes for an opulent experience and is luxuriously full bodied in the glass with a hint of oiliness from the Roussanne. Catherine and Robert Barrot’s white Chateauneuf, made by their son in law Fred, comes from vines that sit in the last southern terrace of the appellation that is protected from the mistral and is one of the earliest ripening zones, they use direct pressing and the wine is fermented mostly in barrel, once and twice used barriques, with a bit done in concrete, raised on the lees with batonage for 9 months.The nose is leesy and honeyed with a bouquet of white flowers and stone fruits with a mouth filling and creamy palate of apricot, tangerine sorbet, clarified cream and butterscotch notes, adding hints of almond, white anise and lemon curd. While a big and round wine, it shows an almost tannic backbone that allows this wine to not seem too flat or flabby, finishing long and gloriously hedonistic. This would be a stunning white Chateauneuf du Pape to explore with lobster or langostino with butter or broth! Wow, I was thrilled with this Chateau Jas de Bressy’s performance in the glass, it’s a savvy and heady wine that is ready to deliver the goods, enjoy it in the short term especially.
($36 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
