2017 l'Oratoire Saint Martin Cairanne Haut Coustias Blanc, Southern Rhone

40% Clairette, 20% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne. This is glorious and already great drinking. Layered and seamless with ripe stone fruits and lemon curd fruit and a racy, vibrant acid line. We know very few Rhône whites that can match the depth, complexity and sheer deliciousness on offer here. It will have no trouble aging beyond five years and even far longer. In fact, it could live decades (assuming a good cork) but it comes down to the style of wine you like. It will become more honeyed and nutty with age. Regardless, it is already superb so there is no need to wait if you don’t want to. Without exaggeration, this is the kind of white Rhône you can serve a Burgundy lover and they will thank you for it.

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