Fontaine du Clos Vacqueyras Reflets de l'Ame Blanc 2020
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Wilfred
Wong
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne. "A terrific hidden little gem." - Jeb Dunnuck
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: 2020 Domaine Fontaine du Clos Reflets de l'âime Vacqueyras Blanc is generous, flavorful, and well-structured. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of rustic earth, savory spices, and a hint of stone fruit. Enjoy it with a pan-fried Petrale sole. (Tasted: September 6, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
Full-bodied and flavorful, white Rhône blends originate from France’s Rhône Valley. Today these blends are also becoming popular in other regions. Typically some combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier form the basis of a white Rhône blend with varying degrees of flexibility depending on the exact appellation. Somm Secret—In the Northern Rhône, blends of Marsanne and Roussanne are common but the south retains more variety. Marsanne, Roussanne as well as Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picpoul and Ugni Blanc are typical.
This charming appellation within the Côtes du Rhône Villages was second only to Gigondas to earn its own village appellation status. Its wines may be red, rosé or white—though hardly any is white. Its high winemaking standards follow many of the same rules as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. But for Vacqueyras red wines, half of the grapes have to be Grenache and the remainder is usually a combination of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault.
While they can be robust and rustic in style, typically a great Vacqueyras red combines delicate aromas with intense fruit and a bright, crisp texture. They certainly don’t lack any character and show an abundance of black cherry, wild berry, plum, fig, baking spice, and a touch of game or smoke.