Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2021
VARIETALS: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne
Viticulture Area: Rhone Valley, France

We are thrilled to congratulate Famille Quiot on another exceptional vintage of Vieux Lazaret (Vee-yuh Laz-a-ray)!

For 13 generations, the Quiot family has been growing vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The estate is family-owned and operated with the brother-sister team, Jean-Baptiste and Florence Quiot, at the helm. The vineyards of Domaine du Vieux Lazaret span over 200 acres, with just over 24 acres planted to white grape
varieties. Quality is of utmost importance and fuels strict limits on vineyard yields, prioritizes hand harvesting and only allows for the selection of the best grapes to build this family-owned, estate-grown classic Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc. Incredibly food-friendly and versatile, this is a portfolio darling, opulent and rare - a Milligan crown jewel. Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend.

Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil. According to law, eighteen grape varieties are
allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir. Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance. The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.

Region: Rhone Valley, France
Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Vine Age: 40 Years
Varietals: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne
Soil Type: Clay, sand and limestone
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Natural Cork

The vineyards of Domaine du Vieux Lazaret are spread over 90 hectares, split into 35 different parcels of vines throughout Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It is today amongst the largest domains in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, with 80 hectares planted in red grape varieties and 10 planted with white grapes. The number of parcels enables the Domaine du Vieux Lazaret to give greater complexity to its wines due to the diversity of soils, grape types and differing ages of vines. Harvesting of the grapes is done entirely by hand, with very strict selection of the best grapes to enhance the quality of the Domaine du Vieux Lazaret wine. This limits the maximum production, under the A.O.C laws, to 35 hectoliters per hectare.

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. 

Tasting Notes:
Opulent and juicy, sun-charged fruit with full ripe peach and apple fruit character richly complemented by toasty notes. The palate reveals fleshy yellow fruit, spice and herbal highlights and a bright spine of acidity. “Depth & Concentration, Green Melon, White Peach, Key Lime” - 91 Points, Wine Spectator
91-plus points for the last 7 vintages!

Food Suggestions:
Easily the best wine for pairing with lobster, puff-pastries, halibut and cod, or garlic and chive goat cheese.

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