2016 Pierre Giraud - Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes Blanc
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Tasting notes
Transparent yellow. Incisive aromas of citrus zest, Anjou pear, fennel and honeysuckle take on a smoky mineral element as the wine opens up. Dry and precise on the palate, offering juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors that deepen and take a richer turn toward peach on the back half. Taut and nervy on the impressively long, mineral-driven finish, which features lingering floral and citrus fruit notes.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
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The finest white I’ve tasted from this estate is unquestionably the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Gallimardes and it should be snatched up by savvy readers. Loaded with notions of white peach, buttered citrus, spice and loads of crushed rock-like minerality, it’s rich, layered and textured, yet also vibrant and pure. Bravo! This estate has been run flawlessly by Marie Giraud for more than a decade now and the estate is consistently in the top handful of domaines in each vintage. She’s excelled in the more difficult 2015 vintage, and has produced some of the wines of the vintage in 2016. If you don’t know about Domaine Giraud, you’re missing out.
The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette and Bourboulenc. It shows a touch of oak in its honeyed nose and rich texture but remains lively from start to finish, revealing bergamot, lime and musky spice notes on the long finish. It should drink well for at least a few years.