2016 La Marquise Cotes du Rhone Blanc Review

Price: $18/bottle (Lot18.com)

Alcohol: 13%

Body: Medium

Sweetness: Dry

Varietals: 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Viognier, 15% Roussane, 15% Clairette

Tasting Notes: Chilled ~ 20 mins in ice bath

At first appearance, this wine possesses a very deep straw-gold color, and has well-defined, slow moving legs. On the nose, it is simply impossible to ignore the bright notes of pear, peach, and green apple. As it opens up in the glass, subtle hints of asphalt and earth components come to mind, bringing me back to family orchard trips in the fall; even more emphasized by light scents of oak that round out the nose. Upon first sip, slight elements of peach, flowers, and wet pavement make themselves known. Unfortunately, the front palate of this wine can start to feel a little flat and almost water-like, leaving something to be desired. The acidity quickly rescues this wine in the mid-palate, however, as obvious pear and latent citrus compete with underlying tea-like spice. The finish of this wine is very well balanced, with the crisp acidity playing perfectly with the modest buttery oak.

Rating: **** (4 Stars)

Try/Buy/Pass: BUY