Wow !! Wat een neus!!!!! Late oogst, iets van botrytis? Iig bij de hogere cuvees — 5 months ago
Gabriel Meffre ‘Saint Mapalis’ Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2023
Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷
Overview
A classic Southern Rhône red blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (GSM), sourced from the stony, sun-drenched vineyards of the Plan de Dieu appellation within the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC. This cuvée honors Saint Mapalis, a local figure tied to Rhône’s viticultural heritage.
Aromas & Flavors
Opens with enticing blackberry, plum, and licorice, layered with earthy garrigue and touches of black pepper and spice. A hint of dried herbs and violets rounds out the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is juicy and approachable, carrying dark berry fruit through to a smooth finish.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, soft, and balanced, with silky tannins and a gentle persistence. Shows freshness alongside its ripe fruit core, making it both food-friendly and enjoyable on its own.
Winemaking Notes
Vinified traditionally with careful extraction to highlight fruit and terroir, then aged to round out tannins. Designed for youthful drinking while retaining Rhône typicity.
Food Pairing
Excellent with roast chicken, grilled lamb, charcuterie, and Provençal herb dishes. Its balance of fruit and spice also works well with pizza or casual Mediterranean fare.
Verdict
A lovely value-driven Rhône blend—expressive, soft, and versatile. It feels more expensive than it is and showcases the charm of Plan de Dieu’s terroir. — a year ago
Tempest oyster bar @ madison wi — 2 months ago
This was the white Rhône. — 4 months ago
Very nice wine, maybe needs a few more year. Integrated tannins. Little fruit. Went great with couscous and merguez. — 7 months ago
Green apple and lemon aromas. Medium body with good balance. Solid value from Rosenthal. — a year ago
Tremendous bargain! — 3 years ago
Delicious, dark berries and earthy flavors — 5 years ago
A lot going on the nose. Red fruit, black fruit, meat, leather. Would be a good wintertime wine. Too bad they’re sold out at Kermit Lynch. Devin gave it 💯 — 6 years ago
Gabriel Meffre “Saint-Vincent” Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc 2024, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷
Overview
A classic Southern Rhône white blend that leans casual and food-oriented rather than flashy or intensely aromatic, and this cuvée is typically a blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, and Clairette. The result is a smooth, lightly stony, and subtly textured white that feels very comfortable at the table.
Aromas & Flavors
Soft white peach, pear, yellow apple, and delicate white floral tones open gently in the glass. Subtle hints of wet stone, citrus peel, and light herbal nuances emerge underneath, keeping the wine grounded and balanced rather than overtly fruity.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a smooth and approachable texture. There is a gentle tension toward the back palate that adds freshness without becoming sharp. The finish remains subtle, soft, and savory-leaning.
Food Pairings
This is where the wine truly shines. Excellent with roasted chicken, creamy seafood dishes, cod in white wine sauce, grilled vegetables, herb-driven Mediterranean cuisine, or mild cheeses.
Verdict
A very honest and traditional Rhône white that prioritizes versatility and food compatibility over complexity. Not necessarily a “sit and analyze” sipping wine, but a dependable bottle that works beautifully at the dinner table.
Did You Know?
White Côtes-du-Rhône wines represent only a small percentage of total Rhône production, which is why many consumers associate the region almost entirely with reds despite the area producing some excellent traditional white blends.
🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like one of those understated French whites that quietly performs best with food. Casual, stony, smooth, and very easy to enjoy alongside a proper meal rather than on its own. Cheers! — 3 months ago
Vignobles Lacheteau – Pouilly-Fumé / 2024
Pouilly-Fumé AOC – Loire Valley / France 🇫🇷
Overview
100% Sauvignon Blanc from the eastern Loire, grown on classic Pouilly-Fumé terroirs dominated by limestone and flint (silex). This style emphasizes tension, minerality, and restraint rather than overt fruit, showcasing the smoky, stony expression that defines the appellation.
Aromas & Flavors
Crisp lemon zest, grapefruit peel, green apple, and white peach, layered with flinty smoke, wet stone, and subtle herbal notes. The aromatic profile is precise and lifted, with restrained fruit framed by mineral depth.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with bright, linear acidity. Clean, focused, and energetic on the palate, finishing dry and refreshing with a saline-mineral edge and lingering citrus tension.
Food Pairings
Classic goat cheese (Crottin de Chavignol), oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, lemon-herb chicken, asparagus dishes, or light vegetable-forward plates.
Verdict
A textbook Pouilly-Fumé that delivers clarity, minerality, and balance. Not flashy or tropical, but elegant, terroir-driven, and highly versatile at the table.
Did You Know?
The “fumé” in Pouilly-Fumé refers to the smoky, flinty character derived from silex soils, not oak or smoke exposure, one of the Loire Valley’s most distinctive Sauvignon Blanc signatures.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is exactly the style of Sauvignon Blanc I gravitate toward: mineral-driven, restrained, and quietly complex. A refreshing counterpoint to overtly aromatic New World expressions, and a reminder of why Loire Sauvignon remains one of my benchmarks for elegance and precision. — 9 months ago
Sweet crispy white from Trader Joe’s — a year ago
Le Grand Contrôle - Ducasse Year 2018 — 5 years ago
Has a nice salinity — 6 years ago
Jody Scharf
Dark cherries, subtle tannins, dark purple. Overall well balanced. — 12 days ago