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Château de Nalys

Saintes Pierres de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2017

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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Translated as “holy stones”, a play on the soils and history of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the second white wine to Château de Nalys has a character all its own, with a strongly different varietal and plot composition, and like its red Saintes Pierres counterpart, a fermentation, and aging geared towards emphasizing freshness. The hallmark seamlessness of Guigal’s white wines is especially evident in this wine, which is unlike any Châteauneuf white we have experienced in its grace and lift. The beautifully balanced freshness and fleshiness, prominent floral and citrus notes, a complete wine. Guigal is today the single most important producer by value and volume of white wine in the Rhône, with 25% of their production dedicated to whites. Nalys is 18% planted to whites, very high for the area, and in fact at one point it is believed the estate produced the majority of the entire appellation’s white wine production.

Vineyard

The composition is 34% from the Nalys vineyard, 3% from La Crau, and 63% from Bois Senechal, from vines averaging 45 years of age, with the vintage resulting in even lower than the typically low yields of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 25 hl/ha specifically. The grape varietal composition is 36% Clairette, 29% Bourboulenc, 25% Grenache Blanc, 7% Roussanne, 3% Picardan. All 13 permitted Chateaneuf grapes are planted on all 3 vineyard plots at Nalys.

Vineyard: Nalys

Surrounding the estate, the “Nalys” vineyard has very fine soils that create supple wines that are extremely silky and retain freshness. These are some of the oldest soils in Châteauneuf, underlying many of the other soil compositions in the appellation, made up of red sandstone, a sandy clay soil, and covered limestone with some soft sandstone at the vineyard edges. This plot is directly adjoining – over the hill – from Rayas, the great example of finesse in Châteaneuf. Official lieu-dit in land registries is “Grande Pierre”.

Vineyard: La Crau

“La Crau” is arguably the single greatest vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Nalys has 38 acres located as a single center-north block. It is famous specifically for structured, complex and intensely expressive wines. Naly’s holdings are the highest elevation of the Crau plateau and bordering forest they own, providing slightly cooler temperatures and ideal drainage – the sweet spot. The soils are made up of the famous galets: large round pebbles derived from the Rhône river. Direct neighbors are Henri Bonneau, La Janasse (used for their Vieilles Vignes), and other leading properties.

Vineyard: Bois Senechal

Adjoining La Crau, Nalys is the sole owner of the top of the plateau. Like La Crau, containing galets, though slightly smaller stones, and sandier soil composition; the wines are slightly less structured, more evenly composed. The site of their best Mourvedre plot, Bois Senechal also has fairly unique terraced vines in rows sloping back to the winery. Neighbors are further below the plateau, Mont Olivet, Domaine de la Solitude. Official lieu-dit is “Bois Seneseau”.

Winemaking

Manual harvesting and sorting was followed by vinification and aging in stainless steel and barrels and demi muids (20%).

Tasting Note

Pale youthful gold, brilliant and limpid color. Elegant mineral nose with notes of citrus and peach. On the palate a beautiful richness, with freshness and minerality. A complete wine, elegant and balanced.
Pair with a variety of starters; fish baked in salt, grilled, prepared as crudo or sashimi; fresh or aged goat cheese.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Picardan, Roussanne

Appellation

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Farming

Vineyards are farmed organically, awaiting certification.

Alcohol

13.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$58

Reviews

17

"A confident debut"

Jancis Robinson - October 1, 2018 "Waxy and more aromatic than most, with something of the peachiness of Condrieu, it seems. Superbly fleshy with soft acid and full body. A touch of nutty character on the finish. Lengthy. A confident debut. "

91

"Riper notes of melon and tangerine"

Wine Advocate - October 31, 2018 “A blend of 36% Clairette, 29% Bourboulenc, 25% Grenache Blanc, 7% Roussanne and 3% Picardan, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Saintes Pierres Blanc reflects the first vintage since the Guigal family took over ownership of this historic estate. It’s a second wine, culled from elements that didn’t go into the main cuvée, but it’s still a solid effort. It’s an interesting marriage of linear notes of crushed stone and lime with rounder, riper notes of melon and tangerine. Medium to full-bodied, there’s a chalky-mineral-tonic feel on the palate that keeps it lively through the fresh, clean finish.”

92

"Terrific balance, and a nicely chiseled, focused style"

Jeb Dunnuck - May 17, 2019 "Starting with the 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Saintes Pierres de Nalys Blanc, which is the younger vine cuvée of the estate and is based largely on Clairette, this beauty offers clean, crisp notes of white peach, white flowers, and salty minerality. It’s clean, has terrific balance, and a nicely chiseled, focused style, and despite being the entry-level wine, is serious stuff."  

91

"Pastry flavors and smooth texture"

James Suckling - October 30, 2019 "A grassy and fresh white with roughly 50% clairette, this has lemons and some lightly grassy nuances with a smooth palate that has melon-pastry flavors and smooth texture."  

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