2023 Mont Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Plateau Blanc, Southern Rhone

Very fresh and bright for a wine from such a hot and dry vintage. Concentrated, focused and salty, with energy that builds as it flows over your palate. Orange blossom aromas. A wonderful creamy texture on the full-bodied palate. Long, refined finish. 55% clairette and 45% grenache blanc. Matured in demi muid oak barrels and glass. Sustainable. Drink or hold.

95 points James Suckling

High on the galet strewn plateau of Châteauneuf du Pape, Château Mont-Redon has long been one of the region’s quiet heavyweights. The estate dates back to 1344, with a long lineage of stewardship that today sits with the Abeille and Fabre families. Their vineyards stretch across some of the appellation’s most prized sites, including the famed plateau of rolled stones that capture heat by day and release it slowly through the night, helping fruit reach full ripeness while retaining structure.

Le Plateau Blanc is drawn from elevated parcels where limestone and sandy soils bring freshness and precision to the classic southern Rhône varieties, typically Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne and Bourboulenc. It is a style that balances richness with lift, showing just how compelling white Châteauneuf can be when handled with care.

Golden straw in colour, the aromatics are generous yet composed. Ripe pear, white peach and citrus peel sit alongside honeysuckle, almond and a gentle herbal note that hints at the surrounding garrigue. There is a subtle savoury edge, almost waxy, that adds depth as it opens.

The palate is layered and textural, stone fruit and citrus unfolding over a broad, almost silky frame. There is weight here, but it is held in check by a line of freshness and a faint mineral thread that keeps everything in balance. Hints of toasted nuts, spice and a touch of honey emerge through the finish, giving length and complexity without ever feeling heavy.

This is a wine that loves food with richness and flavour. Think roast chicken with preserved lemon and thyme, grilled John Dory with beurre noisette, or a saffron laced seafood stew. It also pairs beautifully with dishes that carry a touch of spice or warmth, where the wine’s texture and freshness find harmony.

Drinking beautifully now, though it will evolve over eight to twelve years, developing more nutty, honeyed and savoury complexity.

There is a sense of sun and stone here, a wine that feels both generous and grounded, perfect for a long lunch that drifts into the afternoon.

If you want something to match the mood, put on Nick Drake Pink Moon, or for a more expansive feel, Debussy Clair de Lune, both echo that quiet, layered beauty and sense of space this wine carries.