L'Oratoire des Papes : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2016 from L'Oratoire des Papes

Tasting

Appearance

The wine reveals a beautiful pale yellow color with subtle green highlights.

Nose

The nose opens with an explosion of white fruits: pear, peach and apple. Delicate floral notes of jasmine and fennel enrich the bouquet, accompanied by peppery touches and a hint of oak.

Palate

On the palate, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2016 reveals power, roundness and generosity. The flavors of white fruits and licorice intensify throughout the tasting. The limestone fragments of the terroir bring a beautiful salinity and mineral tension that give the wine a remarkable length and great complexity on the finish.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine pairs perfectly with hard cheeses, seafood, fish in aromatic herb sauces or rabbit prepared in a light sauce.

Serving and storage

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2016 is ideally served at a temperature of 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now.

The freshness and precision of a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

The history of L'Oratoire des Papes begins in 1880 when Édouard Amouroux inherited a parcel of vines sheltering an oratory dedicated to Saint Marc. In 1926, his son Léonce renamed the estate and created the iconic Art Deco label, unchanged for nearly a century. Acquired in 2000 by the AdVini group through Maison Ogier, the estate has since benefited from significant investments, including the complete renovation of the historic Priory. Since 2015, Édouard Guérin has overseen the technical direction of the estate located in Courthézon, at the gateway to Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône Valley. The estate stands out for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming, and for an exceptionally high production of white wines for the appellation.

The vineyard

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard is characterized by a remarkable geological diversity stemming from three distinct periods. The plots designated for L'Oratoire des Papes' white wine are planted on two specifically selected soil types: limestone fragments and safres, sandy clays dating from the Miocene epoch. These terroirs give the wine its characteristic mineral tension and aromatic precision. The estate cultivates its 25 hectares of vines according to organic farming principles, using exclusively natural amendments sourced through a partnership with local livestock farmers.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage in the southern Rhône Valley ranks among the most successful in recent years. The climatic conditions produced an ideal balance between concentration, acidity and tannic structure. For white wines, the year offered optimal grape ripening with a perfect balance between alcohol level, acidity and aromatic expression.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest for this Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2016 is carried out by hand at an early stage of ripeness to favor the expression of the terroir. The grapes are pressed as whole clusters in a pneumatic press, then the must undergoes moderate settling at 6°C for 12 to 36 hours. Vinification takes place 80% in tulip-shaped concrete tanks at a controlled temperature between 15 and 18°C, without malolactic fermentation to preserve aromatic freshness. The remaining 20% ferments in 300-liter French oak barrels with regular stirring. Aging continues on total lees for approximately six months until spring.

Grape varieties

Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne