Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2020, Rhone Valley, France

45% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 20% Brouboulenc, 5% barrel fermented Roussanne. This estate is owned by the Quiot family, vineyard owners in Chateauneuf-du-Pape for over 3 centuries. The vineyards of Domaine du Vieux Lazaret are spread over 93 hectares (230 acres), split into 35 different parcels of vines throughout A.O.C. Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The number of parcels enables the Domaine to give greater complexity to its wines due to the diversity of soils, grape types and differing ages of vines. The viticultural practices are strictly controlled and follow those traditions practiced for many generations. The pruning is only done by those vineyard workers who are extremely experienced, and follow the strict rules of the appellation, with some vines trained on wires and others trained low to the ground. The soil in the vineyard is regularly worked to allow proper aeration, with regular application of compost, and other treatments to maintain the best organic level and condition of the soil. Harvesting of the grapes is done entirely by hand, with very strict selection of the best grapes to enhance the quality of the Domaine wine. The vines have an average age of 40 years. A rare wine. Just 5% of Chateauneuf is devoted to white grapes. Lazaret is the second largest producer of these fine wines, and this is a truly noteworthy and special wine.