Astralabe blanc AOC 2022

Tasting Note for Astralabe blanc AOC 2022 from Chêne Bleu

Colour & Appearance

A glistening lemon yellow, laced with delicate green highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals a refined, playful style. Intense notes of acacia blossom and flowering apple trees combine with chopped almonds as well as toasted fennel and coriander seeds. Only behind these do nuances of yellow apple, quince and lime zest emerge. An ethereal herbal spice of sage, lemon thyme and lemon balm remains dominant, revealing a surprisingly cool character.

Palate

On the palate, the wine presents itself in a taut, slender guise. The alpine freshness of the high altitude focuses the floral and spicy flavours into a tightly woven corset. Texturally, the mouthfeel comes across as stony and almost saline, accentuated by a delicate bitter note. Towards the finish, aromas of mint and menthol provide an invigorating, fresh persistence.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes hail from the extremely high-altitude vineyards on Mont Ventoux at 550 to 630 metres above sea level. This site ensures striking temperature variations: Mediterranean sunshine by day meets cool nights, endowing the wine with its taut acid structure and freshness.

Grape Variety & Vinification

A blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Vermentino (Rolle), complemented by portions of Roussanne and Viognier. Following manual harvesting and dual grape sorting, the low-yield parcels are gently vinified by gravity in a four-storey cellar.

Food Pairings

An excellent partner for golden beetroot carpaccio with toasted almonds, classic Ajo Blanco with toasted white bread, or elegant steamed pike with celeriac purée and brown crab ravioli.

Key Features

Named after the son of the medieval lovers Abélard and Héloïse, this white wine unites the sun-drenched power of the South with the raciness and coolness of an alpine altitude. An uncompromising style off the beaten track of the Southern Rhône.