Chateau Roubine is one of the oldest wine estates in France and has been making wine since the 14th Century in Provence in the south east. The property was awarded with the cru classe title in 1953 by the French Ministry of Agriculture. 

The bottle this rose is in today reflects the chateau's long history and is printed with the Templar coat of arms, featuring a dragon and lion protected by the sun's rays. The vineyard is planted in 13 different grape varieties and this is a dry, light bodied, refreshing Mediterranean rose. 

Although famed for its red wines, white wines have a long heritage in the southern Rhône valley, where the locals enjoy an occasional glass at the start of a warm evening. La Fleur Solitaire is a solitaire amongst the rubies of our Boutinot Rhône range; a white Côtes du Rhône made from traditional southern Rhône white grape varieties.

Production

Following an experiment with a micro cuvée crafted from seven barrels back in 2009, we now source grapes from selected vineyards in the southern Rhône. Each parcel is picked separately in the cooler early daylight hours for gentle pressing that same morning, and each is fermented at a low temperature. To a base of Grenache Blanc, we blend Viognier along with co-fermented pairs of Roussanne/Marsanne and Bourboulenc/Clairette. Over the years we have increased the proportion vinified in stainless steel, with just under a third of the wine now vinified and matured for 6 months French oak barrels (mostly 3rd fill but some new) to add complexity and creaminess.

Tasting notes

Proper white Côtes du Rhône; fresh, medium-bodied, vinous. The nose is pretty and delicate, with a waft of fennel tops and hints of hedgerow flowers. The flavours are nuanced and refined rather than overt. Careful use of oak adds texture and structure without masking the freshness of this very drinkable white.

Food match

A lovely apéritif, and delicious with lighter dishes such as grilled asparagus drizzled with olive oil and toasted almonds or a goats cheese salad. Fish and chicken are a perfect partner; especially grilled halibut or cod, or a creamy chicken dishes such as the French Poulet à l’Estragon (chicken in a tarragon sauce).

Chateau du Trignon is located on the Trignon river which divides Sablet and Gigondas in the southern Rhone. This is 100% Marsanne offering subtles aromas of acacia, beeswax, quince, almonds, honey and white peach.

Ambrosius by name and by nature, this beautiful expression of Saint Emilion Grand Cru is a dry, impressive blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Grapes were grown on sandy soil and sandstone on one vineyard and this wine represents exceptional value for money, both for drinking now and for cellaring. Expect a commanding southern French red now; expect great complexity within four or five years of bottle age. 

This wine is the approachable easy going face of Minervois. Blend of Carignan and Grenache and just a tiny amount of Syrah, the wine is softer and much easier drinking than you might expect Minervois to be. Rustic charm by the bucket load but it also very obviously a well made wine. 

 40% Carignan, 40% Grenache, 20% Syrah

 One bottle only per customer please

What the critics say

There is no one hotter in Burgundy these days than Sylvain Cathiard. Burghound.com

Dry on the palate, textured tropical orange, apricot and lemon, complex and full bodied with wonderful underlying spicy notes combining with rosemary, tarragon just a hint of vanilla and honeycomb.

Jurancon is an appellation in South-West France, near the Spanish border. Centered around the town of Pau it produces stunning white wines based on the native grapes of Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng.

The two grapes are related to each other- as the names imply Gros Manseng grapes are more robust and larger grapes, often used to make rich dry white wines. Petit Manseng smaller and low yielding, higher in acid and sugar with a higher skin-to-juice ratio.  Petit Manseng is more more in the sweeter wines of the region.  The two grapes grow together in harmony enjoying the same climate and terroir... often blended together to produce wines with floral, tropical, honey, citrus, and sweet spices in wines.  Wines of the Jurancon appellation must be at least half Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng.  There is a tiny amount of Petit Manseng grown in NZ.

Domaine Nigri sits at 300 meters elevation, facing the Pyrenees mountains, the heart of the Jurancon appellation.

Formerly known as the 'Reserve d'Angludet', this is the ‘Second Wine’ produced by Chateau Angludet with the younger vines on the estate and made in the same way as the flagship estate wine.

Chateau Angludet has a long history dating back to the 12th century situated in the Margaux plateau surrounded by Grand Cru Classes.

Made of a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot on deep gravel and pebble soils. Aged in French oak barrels.

Youthful bouquet that opens gradually to offer up a rich palate of wild fruit, violets, blackberry, blackcurrant and plum. Smooth palate, with fruit plumpness to the moderate tannins and a hint of toastiness.

The Amedee cuvée by Philippe Brisebarre is a dry Vouvray vinified and aged in 500 litre barrels. It reveals subtle aromas of white-fleshed fruits, accompanied by gentle vanilla notes. On the palate, this wine offers a beautiful liveliness and great aromatic complexity, harmoniously combining the flavours of ripe fruits, honey, and gentle spices. 

This classic French rose is pale, dry and hails from Provence. It is pronounced ‘X’ and, yes, its flavour more than hits the spot if you love the flavours of refreshing dry pink wine from the Mediterranean - and let's face it, who doesn't?

This wine comes from the historical city of Aix-en-Provence and tastes of red fruit flavours such as summer berries, held together by a medium body and zingy finish. Its label features two Mandarin ducks, which are birds who famously stay together for life. 

Goisot Côtes d’Auxerre Rouge 2023 shows a vibrant, cool-climate Pinot Noir profile with bright red cherry, wild strawberry and subtle cranberry fruit. Fine floral notes of violet and rose sit over a distinctly limestone-driven mineral backbone. The palate is fresh and elegant with fine tannins, lively acidity and a gently savoury, earthy finish that reflects its northern Burgundy origins region.

Blanc de Blancs champagnes are a Chardonnay lover's dream with nougat, vanilla, fresh cream and nutty flavours combining in a smooth textured dry, full bodied bubbly.

It's made from Grand Cru vineyards in the villages of Avize and Ogier in the Côte des Blanc; the Champagne region's epicentre of Chardonnay. 

This high quality sparkling wine is a dry style with 9 grams per litre of residual sugar and it is fresh, soft and rich in style. The wine was disgorged in July 2019. 

Now we're talking next level. 

Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an exciting dry, full bodied, ageworthy white wine from the Southern Rhone's most famous appellation. It's a blend of Roussanne 40%, Clairette 30%, Grenache Blanc 20%, Bourboulenc and Picpoul 10%. Approximately 40% of the wine was aged in barrels on fine lees for 10 months and its smooth, full body and savoury flavours are beautifully balanced by the high acid components in the blend, namely Roussanne and Bourbolenc. 

Here is a wine to enjoy in a large glass right now or to age further for at least six to seven years, potentially beyond that. It will reward short, medium and long term drinking.