2019 Eric Texier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Blanc

Region: France, Rhône
Farming: Organic
Grape Varieties: Clairette, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc

Dry, full-bodied white; striking, waxy | Sole, sansho

Eric Texier made the unprecedented leap from nuclear engineer to winemaker in the early 1990s. In keeping with his rigorous academic background, he studied oenology in Bordeaux. While learning the ropes in the Mâcon at Verget by day, he burned the midnight oil reading original handbooks and manuals from the 19th century to learn about long-lost styles and vinification techniques.

Given the prohibitive prices of land in the region, Eric supplements his own modest vineyards in the Northern Rhône through his activities as a negociant. This gives him access to excellent fruit from the papally-approved Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation in the Southern Rhône. 

Jean Riché's vines are 1km from the river on cool, clay soils. They are bush-trained for extra shade and fruit is harvested early to preserve freshness. Whole cluster, native yeast fermentation in neutral oak, aging on lees, bottling a year after harvest.

Find out more here.