L'Oratoire des Papes : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2020 from L'Oratoire des Papes

Tasting

Appearance

This wine displays an intense yellow hue enhanced by subtle emerald reflections.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity. It opens with notes of white and yellow fruits, including pear, quince and peach, evolving toward floral nuances of acacia. With aeration, aromas of lime, lemongrass and pineapple emerge, accompanied by delicate touches of white flowers and a flinty minerality.

Palate

The attack on the palate impresses with its power and breadth. The structure is defined by remarkable freshness and a pleasant bitterness derived from the limestone expression. The mid-palate reveals a surprising richness carried by the minerality and salinity typical of limestone terroirs. The finish, marked by delicate bitter notes, lends length and precision to the whole.

Food and wine pairings

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2020 pairs perfectly with seafood, beechwood-smoked salmon, raw tuna tartare, or grilled lobster and scallops. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses and creamy preparations made with white poultry or mushrooms.

Serving and storage

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2020 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 7 and 10°C. A brief aeration of around twenty minutes can enhance its aromatic expression. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2033.

A white Châteauneuf-du-Pape brimming with vivacity and precision

The estate

Founded in 1880, L'Oratoire des Papes takes its name from the oratory dedicated to Saint Mark, located just below its first parcel. Since 2000, the estate has belonged to Maison Ogier, part of the AdVini group. Under the general management of François Miquel and the technical direction of Édouard Guérin, the property cultivates 25 hectares of vines within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The estate stands out for its commitment to organic farming since 2008 and its philosophy centered on the authentic expression of its terroirs. Le Prieuré, a historic 16th-century building fully renovated between 2014 and 2016, now houses modern winemaking facilities.

The vineyard

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2020 comes from parcels situated on limestone and safre soils. These terroirs give the wine its characteristic minerality and saline structure. The vines benefit from a Mediterranean climate marked by generous sunshine and the refreshing influence of the Mistral. The estate practices organic viticulture with natural fertilization using animal compost, inter-row grass cover and winter sheep grazing. Massal selection of plant material and manual grafting ensure the quality and genetic diversity of the vineyard.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage is characterized by its exceptional precociousness. After a mild winter, the growing season benefited from favorable spring conditions and warm temperatures throughout the vegetative cycle. This early maturity made it possible to harvest before the late September rains, thus preserving the freshness and balance of the grapes. The harvested berries showed excellent sanitary health and optimal physiological ripeness, giving rise to wines that were fresher and more balanced than the previous vintage.

Winemaking and aging

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2020 was hand-harvested at optimal ripeness. Winemaking was carried out 80% in tulip-shaped concrete tanks and 20% in 300-liter French oak barrels. Fermentation temperatures were maintained between 15 and 18°C to preserve the aromas. The portion vinified in tulip-shaped tanks was aged on total lees without malolactic fermentation, the ovoid shape of the tanks allowing a natural suspension of the lees without stirring. The portion aged in barrels underwent moderate lees stirring. The final blend of this Rhône Valley wine was assembled in spring, followed by six months in concrete tanks and then eight months in bottle before release.

Grape varieties

Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Bourboulenc