Chteau Mont-Redon Chteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Plateau Blanc de Mont-Redon’ 2023

Description

Varieties: 57 Clairette, 43 % Grenache BlancCountry Region: France, Southern Rhne ValleyAppellation:Chteauneuf-du-Pape

With Le Plateau Pierre has created another vision of white Chteauneuf by highlighting the salinity and texture of the galets rouls terroir of the plateau, while maintaining freshness and balance through a majority of Clairette in the blend.

57 % Clairette and 43 % Grenache Blanc from the plateau, settled and cool-fermented at 14 in a mix of new and second-use 360 litre barrels and 220 litre glass Wineglobes (15 %). Post ferment, the wine is given a weekly batonnage until May and then left untouched on lees until bottling in August. Super limited.

On another level, the 2023 Chteauneuf Du Pape Le Plateau Blanc (which was bottled just before my trip) checks in as 70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Clairette raised in new barrels. Its light gold hue is followed by a gorgeous nose of ripe citrus, orange blossom, crushed stone, and spicy, minty nuances. It has nicely integrated background oak, medium to full body, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s another brilliant white from this team that readers should snatch up. 96 points, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2024.

Chteau Mont-Redon will be familiar to those who know and love Chteauneuf-du-Pape being well recognized as the owners of one of the most highly regarded vineyard sites in the appellation. The superb quality of its vineyards has been recognized throughout history and prior to the adaptation of the appellation controlee system it was one of the few Grand Crus in the region (together with Chateau Rayas).

With almost 100 hectares under vine, the majority of Mont-Redons vineyards are located in the appellations most favoured area, the high plateau which is covered in the large round pudding stones that Chteauneuf is so well known for. At this high point the huge pudding ston galets lie over a rich layer of clay which retains water and keeps the earth below cool as it helps the vines resist the torrid heat of each summer. In the 1960s some limestone terroir on the western edge of the appellation was planted to white varieties which are perfectly suited to limestone and give whites of great freshness and purity. This remarkable property is in fact a single vineyard which is very unusual in Chteauneuf-du-Pape where holdings are usually quite scattered.

There has been considerable investment at Mont-Redon over the past twenty years. The entire winery has been completely renewed and is now naturally climate controlled utilising the water which lies deep below the clay plateau. From this water, cool air spills down into the winery cooling every level so that the whole winery retains a very cool temperature with natural humidity. Rows of oak barriques have replaced the old large foudres of yesteryear, and large temperature controlled stainless steel vats now line the walls, resulting in wines of freshness and finesse in both red and white wines. More recently optical sorting machines at harvest time have helped to remove any unripe or shriveled grapes as well as any vegetation resulting in great precision for every single wine.

In recent years the developments have continued at a great pace with Pierre Fabre being installed as wine-maker from 2008 and in 2017 Pierre took over management of the estate from his father and uncle. In 2017 he produced the first Gigondas from purchased fruit and in 2019 the purchase of more vineyards have been made in the southern Rhne. This remarkable estate will continue to develop apace as the potential of its great terroir is realised under the guardianship of Pierre Fabre.

Mont-Redon is clearly a candidate for not only the most improved producer and the best value producer of the Southern Rhne but now also one the very best producers in the large historic appellation of Chteauneuf-du-Pape. Mont-Redon looks destined to become one of the highest achievers of the Rhne Valley in the coming decade. Recent reviews confirm this trend.