Astonishing Whites from Southern France
At their prices, you may think they have no business being as great as they are.

Yet both wines have gained confounding amounts of complexity with bottle age, and are among our staff favorites.

First, David Ulias writes about:
2015 Famille Brechet "Plateau des Chenes" Lirac Blanc
Southern Rhone, France

"Laurent Bréchet is known mostly for the delicious wines he & his winegrowing team make at Chateau de Vaudieu in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. BUT! Located directly across the Rhone River in Lirac (the southernmost part of the Rhone region, just north of Tavel) is Plateau des Chenes, Famille Brechet’s estate in Lirac. Situated along the western bank of the Rhone are nearly 40 acres of rich, diverse soil types where the vineyards are sprinkled with galets very similar to those in Chateauneuf. These large, smooth rocks are quite unique to this area of the Rhone Valley. The locals believe they help the vines grow and assist in the proper development of said grapes due to their high capacity for heat retention as they absorb sunlight during the day and slowly let it out into the soil when the sun goes down. And although only 10% of the total wine production, Lirac produces some deep, rich white wines that are extremely hard to beat in terms of price-to-quality-ratio.

That same winemaking team makes this darling “little” white using the same grapes in CdP.

60% Grenache Blanc – 20% Rousanne – 20% Clairette
                 
Tasting Notes: Beautiful, floral aromas invoke fresh fennel, yet also show a firm mineral core. Aged for 3-to-4 months in used 600L barrels ie no new wood, which is a common practice with white CdP’s. Approaching full-bodied, the texture here I describe in my tasting notes as ‘fluffy’ which is to say, soft and round. After some time in the glass, subtle Navel orange & vanilla bean nuances emerge. Slate minerality is abundant on the lingering finish. 

Plateau de Chênes is the eponymous name of a former bed of the Rhone River, which is composed of colluvions from the quaternary era, red clays, quartzites round pebbles, as well as sands of the Pliocene era." ~d.
  • 14% ABV
  • Lowest price in the country

Lowest Web Price: $35.00 btl
24-Hour Summer Sale:

$23.97 btl (1-11)
$17.97 btl (12+ )
Ed Chin writes about:
2016 Domaine Lafage "Cote Est" Blanc
Catalan, Roussillon, France

"To say the land or for that matter, the wine is in their blood, the Lafage family would qualify as they have been winegrowers for over 200 years in Roussillon. This overlooked region in the South of France is just west of Provence and loaded with treasures—this is a clear example of one.

It's perfect alongside the Mediterranean, as well as where you are as you read this.

50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Chardonnay and the rest Roussanne.

Tasting Notes: A touch of white flower, honeysuckle and citrus pith on the nose. Perfect with a salad dish or a light meal. Nothing overpowering in its flavors of fresh orange rind and satisfying dry-riesling-like slate minerality. The acidity keeps the wine exciting and fresh. With the ABV at only 12.5% this is something you easily could have a few glasses of as you lounge in your backyard, or anywhere, anytime!" -Ed Chin

Wine Advocate:
"Clean, crisp and lively, with exotic notes of orange blossom, cherry blossom and hints of saline-like minerality, the 2016 Cote d'Est is medium-bodied, fresh and lively, with a clean, delicious style that will be versatile on the dinner table. This cuvee comes from the eastern portion of the Roussillon, just off the coast of the Mediterranean, and is a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Chardonnay and the rest Roussanne, aged on lees in tank. It's a terrific value." - Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2017)
  • 12.5% ABV
  • Lowest price in the country

Lowest Web Price: $15.00 btl
24-Hour Summer Sale:

$11.97 btl (1-11)
$8.97 btl (12+ )
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