2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Domaine de la Charbonnière

Roussanne, fermented in new oak, makes up an impressive 40% of this blend, the same quantity as the Grenache Blanc. Clairette completes the trilogy. Given its make-up, it is unsurprising to find the wine at the richer more decadent end of the stylistic spectrum. Mangoes, pear-skin and nougat were the first three words to traverse the tasting book, with a pleasing honied mid-palate and then spice on the back from the oak.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

Our first visit of our Southern Rhône week, and a most agreeable one, despite the early hour, Charbonnière continues to excel and, forgive the tautology, to develop as a classic traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The transition from père Michel to daughters Véronique and Caroline has been seamless and the quality gets better and better. Véronique compares 2010 with 2005 and 2000; for her 2009 was more like 2007, with a little more ‘residual’ sugar, courtesy of the Grenache.