Josh Raynolds just published his report on white 2013 , 2014 and few 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape , 150 producers, few hundreds of Cuvées. We are happy to see our three vintages of Magis in the TOP Seven wines of his report .
Châteauneuf-du-Pape : Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Enters the 21st Century
April 2016 by Josh Raynolds
1- 2014 Domaine du Pegau
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée A Tempo
Vivid yellow. Mineral-tinged citrus and orchard fruit aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a suave floral accent with air. Silky and precise on the palate, offering bitter lemon pith and pear skin flavors that show fantastic power and a subtle, slow-building suggestion of iodine. A distinctly mineral, Chablis-like quality characterizes the remarkably long, penetrating finish, which strongly echoes the floral and citrus fruit notes. This deeply concentrated yet vibrant wine is one the most mesmerizing versions of white Châteauneuf that I have ever tried and, in fact, it measures up to some of the best white Rhônes, period.
— Josh Raynolds 95
2- 2014 Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes
(aged in a 50/50 blend of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels for eight months): Pale yellow-gold. Explosive, mineral-accented aromas of tangerine, poached pear and jasmine show superb clarity and pick up ginger, nougat and chamomile nuances as the wine opens up. Juicy, densely packed citrus and orchard fruit flavors thoroughly stain the palate and become more energetic with air. The mineral and floral notes come back emphatically on the strikingly long and incisive finish, which shows impressive, nervy tenacity and focus.
— Josh Raynolds 95
3- 2013 Rotem & Mounir Saouma
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Magis
(fermented and aged in used demi-muids for two years): Pale gold. Displays intense tangerine, pears skin, iodine and exotic floral scents, complicated by building mineral and fennel nuances. Sappy, impressively concentrated orchard and pit fruit flavors show outstanding focus and a refreshingly spicy touch of candied ginger. Finishes smooth, subtly smoky and remarkably long, leaving an echo of candied pear behind. This wine was one of the highlights of my annual trip to the region and, in the context of truly world-class white wines, it’s a serious value.
— Josh Raynolds 95
4- 2015 Domaine du Pegau
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée A Tempo
Brilliant straw. A powerful, expansive bouquet evokes mineral-accented Meyer lemon, pear, iodine and jasmine. Sappy citrus and orchard fruit flavors stain the palate and display a suave blend of richness and vivacity, with no undue weight. Juicy, taut and strikingly concentrated, displaying the tension of a Grand Cru Chablis. Finishes minerally, floral and extremely long, conveying a repeating floral quality. This should turn out to be a stunning wine, by any measure, and as white Châteauneuf goes, it’ll be monumental.
— Josh Raynolds (94-95)
5- 2015 Rotem & Mounir Saouma
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Magis
(fermented and aged in used demi-muids for two years): Vivid straw. Explosive aromas of pear liqueur, honey, iodine and pungent flowers on the mineral-accented nose. Sappy and incisive on the palate, showing impressive heft and thrust to its ripe citrus, orchard fruit and floral flavors. Closes extremely long, with superb energy and resonating mineral and floral qualities.
— Josh Raynolds (93-96)
6- 2014 Clos des Papes
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
Brilliant straw. Mineral-accented aromas of quince, tangerine and smoky minerals, plus hints of jasmine, iodine and brioche. Silky and tightly focused on the palate, offering concentrated orchard fruit, citrus fruit and honeysuckle flavors underscored by intense minerality. The strikingly long, sappy finish shows lingering stoniness and superb focus and tenacity.
— Josh Raynolds 94
7- 2014 Rotem & Mounir Saouma
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Magis
(fermented and aged in used demi-muids for two years): Brilliant straw-yellow. Potent citrus pith and orchard fruit aromas stain the palate and show outstanding clarity and a smoky mineral overtone. Broad, sappy and focused on the palate, offering expansive orange, pear nectar and honeysuckle flavors and a refreshingly bitter suggestion of quinine. In a weighty but shockingly taut, nervy style, with noteworthy closing thrust and lingering minerality.
— Josh Raynolds (93-95)
