Côtes du Rhône blanc “Cuvée César” 2022

Wine Description for Côtes du Rhône blanc “Cuvée César” 2022 by Roche-Audran

Colour & Appearance

An intense straw yellow with brilliant reflections, announcing the ripeness and concentration of this southern white wine.

Nose

Vincent Rochettes white César unfolds a captivating aromatic spectrum, typical of the Southern Rhône. Ripe yellow fruits – Nashi pears and white peach – dominate initially, before being succeeded by floral jasmine notes and subtle spice nuances of fennel, coriander seed and anise. The oak is present but unobtrusive, with hints of vanilla that elegantly combine with Mediterranean herbs and a discreet mineral component.

Palate

On the palate, the winemaker’s mastery reveals itself in the perfect balance between creamy texture and structuring acidity. The nine-month maturation in various wooden casks imparts a silky fullness and subtle vanilla and caramel notes, without overshadowing the fruit expression. The natural extract sweetness of the ripe grapes is supported by a precise acid structure, which gives the wine tension and length. A hedonistic white wine with remarkable finesse despite its southern opulence.

General Information

This impressive cuvée from Grenache Blanc and Viognier (complemented by Clairette and Bourboulenc) comes from approximately 30-year-old vines planted on a complex terroir of clay, limestone, alluvial deposits and gravel in Buisson. With a deliberately low yield of just 30 hl/ha and spontaneous fermentation, Roche-Audran creates an authentic expression of the Southern Rhône with 13.0% alcohol and minimal residual sweetness.

Food Pairing Suggestions

An ideal companion to grilled sea bass with fennel, bouillabaisse, goat’s cheese or poultry in cream sauce. The creamy texture and aromatic complexity also harmonise beautifully with Mediterranean vegetable dishes with saffron or Asian curry variations.

Special Features

The differentiated maturation – one third in 225-litre casks and two thirds in 600-litre casks – imparts this wine with remarkable complexity and texture, setting it apart from many other white wines of the region. An excellent example of how traditional Southern Rhône grape varieties can be vinified with modern, precise cellar techniques to create an expressive, terroir-driven wine.