Chateau de Manissy - Cotes du Rhone "Oracle" Blanc 2023 750ml (13% ABV)

a perfect option for fans of fuller bodied whites ( like Chardonnay )

The vineyards of Château de Manissy were planted by monks. Well, to be more precise, by a religious community: the missionary brothers of the holy family. They were bequeathed the estate and soon after (in 1916) they planted vines, as monks are wont to do, for consumption at mass and also for other occasions.

The estate is based in Tavel, just over the river from Avignon. The Brothers gained a reputation for their barrel-aged Tavel rosé, but there came a point where the community  needed some help with their 60 hectares of vines, spanning a few different southern Rhône appellations. So in 2003 they enlisted the help of a young local winegrower, Florian André. He took the vineyards, that had been sympathetically farmed, one step further and converted them to organics. They are now farmed biodynamically.

 The soil of of this beautiful and rugged terroir is a combination of round river rock, loze, sand and (blue) clay spread on former seabed slopes.

85% Grenache Blanc, 15% Clairette, smells like a solid Sonoma Coast Chard, stone fruit, ripe apples, pear, There’s also a streak of herbs and spice. The Clairette really seems to add a lot of freshness. hint of red fruit on the palate, tame acidity

This lively cuvée is harvested at night to preserve the aromatic freshness of the Grenache grapes. Destemming, cold maceration, pressing and fermentation with indigenous yeasts at low temperature. Aged in stainless steel vats for 4 months.

A well-rounded, full-bodied wine with a hint of vanilla and baked fruit on the palate, finishing voluptuously with nuances of peach and ripe pear.

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