94pts Jeb Dunnuck
Crushed citrus, lime, mint, and some chalky minerality all emerge from the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc, a vibrant, medium-bodied, fresher-styled white from Châteauneuf du Pape that shines for its purity, freshness, and focus. It's going to put on weight with a year in bottle and drink brilliantly for at least 3-4 years, and I suspect it will have an interesting evolution beyond that as well.
92pts Vinous
Briefly aged in a combination of new oak barriques and stainless steel tanks, displaying fragrant aromatics of honeysuckle, yellow apple, pear, white peach, cedar and a pinch of vanilla. Medium-bodied and well-balanced by round acidity, the finish is bright.
Winemaker's Notes
The nose is on fruits with yellow and white flesh, dominated by peach and exotic fruits. A few notes of vanilla and brioche bring an extra touch of fat. The richness of its mouth unfolds and ends with a mineral note.
History
It was in 1912 that Eugene Maret bought Domaine de la Charbonniere as a gift for his wife who was a native of Chateauneuf and the daughter of a winemaker. Their son Fernand Maret inherited a part of the Domaine and enlarged it upon the birth of his son Michel.
Today Michel Maret had over 16 hectares of vineyards located in the high plateaux of Les Brusquieres and La Crau both covered with the famous cailloux roulets and at Mourre des Perdix, sandy soil dotted with larger stones.
The passion and know-how of the winemaker, handpicking of the fruit, and careful sorting at the winery enable Michel Maret to optimize all the promise of a great terrior.
The vinification at the Domaine follows the classic style: no destemming, and three weeks fermentation in stainless steel vats, after which the wine is aged in large oak fourdes for 12-18 months.
