Chateau de Vaudieu, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Clos du Belvedere Blanc

Critic ratings

• Jeb DunnuckReviewed Oct 2020Drinking window: 2020–2035

  98/100

  The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Clos Du Belvédère Blanc checks in as 100% Grenache Blanc, all from a single parcel of vines around the estate. Brought up all in older barrels, it offers a Grand Cru white Burgundy-like bouquet of caramelized orchard fruits, white currants, wood smoke, scorched earth, and a beautiful sense of minerality. The purity is just about off the charts in this magical wine, which hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a beautiful spine of acidity, flawless balance, and a great finish. It’s unquestionably one of the greatest whites I’ve tasted from the estate and is quite possibly the wine of the vintage in 2019 whites. Château de Vaudieu is located in the center of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation, just south of Rayas. The estate is impeccably run by Laurent Bréchet with the winemaking falling to consultant Philippe Cambie. Today they release a number of special cuvées based largely on individual parcels around the domaine. The winemaking can be thought of as quasi-modern, with most of the wines destemmed and brought up in older barrels and demi-muids. New oak is kept to a minimum and the wines always show Provençal, elegant characters. In addition to the brilliant reds, this estate fashions some of the greatest whites in the appellation!

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• Decanter World Wine AwardsReviewed Jun 2021Drinking window: 2021–2035

  97/100

  Charming, elegant, fresh aromatics, not terribly pronounced currently but it’s still very young. Citrus notes come with air. The oak is important here and it’s well judged. Full-bodied, but not over the top. Great textural finesse, coupled with good acidity, bright minerality and piercing intensity. Powerful, but controlled. Very fine. The alcohol is just gently warming, but it doesn't feel unbalanced. Long finish. Really excellent and this should age well. Old vine Grenache Blanc planted on a high plateau of red clay and galets roulés.

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• Robert Parker / Wine AdvocateJoe CzerwinskiReviewed Oct 2020Drinking window: 2020–2025

  96/100

  All old-vine Grenache Blanc grown on galets roulés and red clay, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Clos du Belvedere boasts remarkable freshness and verve allied to ample weight and concentration. Scents of mixed citrus mark the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate delivers scintillating notes of tangerine and lime, plus some gently herbal notes on the long, vibrant finish. It's clearly one of the best varietal Grenache Blancs to have passed this taster's lips, but I would suggest drinking it over the next several years to be sure to catch it in its youthful splendor.

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