2016 Jean-Luc Jamet Cotes du Rhone Blanc Couzou, Rhone Valley

A blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier grapes from vines grown on Granitic Argileux soils. The wine has a beautifully rich straw yellow colour while the aromatics of this cuvee are more restrained and tantalisingly austere with intense notes of cut lemon, stony gravel, wet stones, chalk tuffa and subtle petrichor notes. The well integrated struck match reduction notes connect the nose intricately to the palate which is build around intense mineral laden complexity, white peach stone fruits, ginger spice and a sappy tangerine peel pith. An intense, complex, sophisticated white Rhone expression with well judged acidity freshness, salinity and incredibly well managed reductive complexity. You can enjoy this now but it will undoubtedly get better with another year or two of ageing. A cracking white for Jamet junkies.

94 points Greg Sherwood MW gregsherwoodmw.com

Jean-Luc Jamet is an iconic producer of the Northern Rhône Valley, home to the best Syrah the world has to offer. The “Couzou” cuvée of Côte du Rhône comes from within the Côte-Rôtie appellation in Bonnivières in the Côte Brune. The one-hectare “Couzou” vineyard was planted in the early-to-mid 1980s on deep soils in Bonnivières & Champrond.

Comprising 60% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne, 20% Viognier, this wine has a beautiful shiny yellow colour to it; the bouquet opens nicely with pear and apricot with a thread of infused tea and dried fruits. There is a comfortable grasp on the attack of the palate displaying white fruits and saline notes round out the experience alongside a touch of honey. The Viognier displays great character and leaves a good plumpness, and offers textured structure, with nice length. It can be paired with prawns, roast chicken and grilled barramundi. Drink now or keep in the cellar till 2027+