The 2024 vintage of Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clairettes is bottled exclusively in Magnum size bottles and aged in a combination of one wine globe and one demi-muid (large oak barrel), is a white wine made from the Clairette variety grown on old vines in the southern part of the Rhône region. Here, it is not the Roussanne but the Clairette variety itself that takes center stage. And this choice clearly demonstrates its effectiveness. The oak flavors remain subtle, and while the texture is rich, it is also firm; the wine is not overtly dense but is supported by nuances of citrus peel and herbs, as well as a hint of saltiness.
Serve at 12 °C in a large glass. This wine is best enjoyed between 2027 and 2037.
Robert Parker (97)
Matured for 18 months in one-third wine globes (glass containers) and two-thirds large barrels, the 2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Vieilles Clairettes ranks among the white wines of the vintage. Gently reduced, with a subtle oak imprint, it unfurls from the glass with aromas of white fruits, menthol, pear and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and satiny, it is seamless and tensile, built around a fleshy core of fruit that carries into a pure, racy and ethereal finish. Vinified with whole bunches and harvested earlier than in previous years, it delivers a more delicate profile marked by precision and lively acidity.
Vinous (95)
Scheduled to age for one and a half years in a combination of one wine globe and one demi-muid, the 2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clairettes showcases pristine jasmine, lemon flesh, honeysuckle, chamomile and linden blossom aromas accentuated by a suggestion of flintstone. Hitting the medium- to full-bodied palate with vivid energy, the 2024 is shaping up to be yet another delicious white Châteauneuf, showcasing the very best of what the Clairette grape can bring to the table.
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
The Chassagne-Montrachet of the Rhône, the absolutely sensational 2024 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Speciale Vieilles Clairettes delivers notes of white peach, honeyed orange, spice, hints of clean reduction, and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure, and layered, with remarkable length, the level of class, purity, and precision here is off the charts. Don't miss this beauty. It will reward short-term cellaring and should be incredibly long-lived.
