Domaine Julien Masquin - Montplaisir blanc 2016

The vineyards are situated in an exceptional location, on the sandy soils of Pignan and Rayas, with Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards bordering this highly prestigious area of Châteauneuf. The winemaking is of an excellent standard, with meticulous vinification carried out in a rented winery in the heart of the village. This young and talented winemaker still has to prove himself with future vintages. The 2016 white wine is superb in its finesse and precision. As for the 2015 reds, they are a resounding success. The Memora cuvée, with its infused style, exudes great purity. Meanwhile, the Montplaisir cuvée displays a higher level of ambition, placing it among the bottles to remember from 2015. This is an estate to watch closely.

Paul Masquin acquired vineyards in Courthézon in 1936, which he operated under a sharecropping arrangement. In 1998, his grandson Julien took over the estate, delivering the grapes to the local cooperative, which he left in 2009 to produce his own wines. The vineyard now covers 22 hectares.

Fresh and zesty, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Montplaisir Blanc is a blend of 70% White Grenache and 30% Bourboulenc that is aged without oak. It is medium-bodied to full-bodied, fleshy and round on the palate, with a citrusy and refreshing finish and a pleasant hint of bitterness.