Cotes du Rhone Blanc, La Fleur Solitaire

Tasting Note

A rare find, there aren't many white Cote du Rhone wines! This one is exceptional with a warm, complex nose of honey, lemon curd and a hint of floral aromas. On the palate, delicate rosewater and lychee bounce onto the tongue, before a gentle, rounded, luscious, satisfying, mouthfeel with a rich buttery sensation and a touch of peach.

Producer Details

Both our love affair and that of Boutinot (the importer) with the southern Rhône is both enduring and unswerving. They believe to their marrow that they can make great wine here. And for this reason, they have bought their first vineyard in France, here in the southern Rhône – in the village of Cairanne. Ten years ago, they first glimpsed the potential of the vineyards of Cairanne when they released their 2000 vintage of La Côte Sauvage.  Now they have several plots of old vines they can call their own and have begun to realise their dream of making even better wine. Over the past decade or so they have built enviable relationships with a network of local growers and from whom they will of course continue to source grapes and wine from some prized vineyards for their full range of Rhône wines.

In The Vineyard

They source premium grapes from just three vineyards in the southern Rhône, one planted with Grenache Blanc, another with Bourboulenc and the other with younger Viognier picked at dawn.

In The Winery

They are always experimenting and some of their experiments never see the light of day … but this one they just couldn’t ignore!  It began in 2009 with their debut vintage of 'La Fleur Solitaire’ Côtes du Rhône Blanc - a true micro cuvee crafted from only 7 barrels of fantastic wine producing less than 3,000 bottles. The grapes are pressed gently and fermented at low temperature, 40% unoaked with 60% aged in 2-3 year old barrels for only 6 months.

Food Recommendations

Wonderful with grilled fish, warm chicken salads, veal and risotto. It would even cope with strong French cheeses.

Awards & Press

2010 Vintage: Sommelier Wine Awards 2012 - Bronze
2009 Vintage: Sommelier Wine Awards 2011 - Silver
2010 Vintage: " 'Soft peach fruit on the nose, with a slight spiciness. Quite a full, ripe wine on the palate, but accessible, full of fruit, and great value,' Clinton Cawood. 'Attractive nose, with straw, white pear and Sicilian lemon, and some nutty macadamia flavours. Complexity and balance - very good at the price,' Emily O'Hare." Imbibe magazine, September/October 2011
2009 Vintage: "Honey, quince, spiced pear and wet stone on the nose as well as 'camomile, moss and wild herbs,' said Angus Macnab. This has a pleasant mix of candied and orchard fruits on the palate. Medium in body and length, this is great value." "... ludicrously well-priced Boutinot La Fleur Solitaire..." Sommelier Wine Awards 2011, Judges Comments