Team C&J
Forget paying exorbitant prices for Rhône Blanc! The 2021 Château Estanilles Sous Les Rocs Blanc, Faugères offers stunning elegance and richness at a fraction of the cost. Crafted by acclaimed winemaker Julien Seydoux, with the legendary Claude Gros lending his expertise, this biodynamic beauty boasts luminous color, captivating aromas, and a palate that surprises with tropical notes and a creamy, Rhone-esque texture. Discover the secret gem of Faugères, where schist-laden soils and meticulous practices craft a white wine that rivals the best at a price that delights any wine lover.
Château Estanilles has some pretty big fans in the wine world. This Languedoc winery produces what Decanter calls “remarkable wines,” and Forbes named Château Estanilles one of the top five wineries in the region.
Sous Les Rocs translates to “under the rocks,” which is a nod to the extraordinarily stony soil that these vines grow in. Such growing conditions force the roots of the vines to push through all of that rocky soil, and the resulting grapes have a precise intensity that translates to the glass.
Estanilles’ is owned by winemaker Julien Seydoux, who purchased the property from Michel Louison in 2009. While Julien is a winemaker in his own right, he brought on board Claude Gros in a consulting capacity to tweak things just a bit in the cellar.
Claude, an oenologist and winemaker, is one of the world’s top wine consultants, who helps a number of noteworthy wineries, including Château la Négly and Clos des Truffiers, get the best out of their vineyards. His talents are also employed by wineries as far away as California, Washington, and Spain.
Biodynamic farming may seem like a trendy wine word today, but Château Estanilles has been using these low-intervention techniques for nearly 20 years. Beginning in 2007, under the previous owner, the winery made the decision to reduce its dependence on synthetic chemicals and embrace a more holistic approach.
Grapes are hand-harvested, only organic fertilizers are used, and plows flatten the weeds between the vineyard rows rather than spraying.
Faugères is a distinguished appellation within the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region in the south of France, acclaimed for its robust red wines. While some stunning white wines also come from Faugères, case in point this 2021 Sous Les Rocs from Chateau Des Estanilles, it’s the red wines that are usually the star of the show.
The terrain of Faugères is predominantly composed of schist, a rock formation that imparts a distinct minerality to its vineyards. This unique terroir contributes to the high drainage capacity and the ability to retain warmth, providing ideal growing conditions for the grapes.
When it comes to the most famous wines of Faugères, we’re talking about Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan as the predominant varietals. These reds are known for their deep flavors and cellaring qualities.
The 2021 Sous Les Rocs – Faugeres, a vibrant blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, boasts a luminous lemon hue in the glass with flashes of gold. Lush aromas of candied peach, honeysuckle, and crisp pear mingle with hints of minerality from the schistous soil. On the palate, this wine surprises with tropical notes of mango and pineapple, balanced by bright acidity and a creamy, waxy texture reminiscent of Rhone whites. Flavors of melon, lemon, and toasted coconut linger on the long, satisfying finish. The mouthfeel is richer and softer than you might expect, thanks to oak barrel aging.
Marsanne and Roussanne white wine blends are rich and nutty with aromatic stone fruit qualities, which gives you a lot of room to create the perfect food pairing. Bottles like this 2021 Sous Les Rocs, Faugeres can be matched with:
This bottle of 2021 Château Estanilles Sous Les Rocs Blanc is a complex and age-worthy white that beautifully reflects the unique terroir of Faugeres. The wine’s bright, elegant, and rich notes, combined with a price that’s under $30 a bottle, make a compelling argument to add this vintage to your cellar.
France
Languedoc
Red Blend
13.5
Claude Gros
49–55°F / 9–12°C
Chardonnay
Not Needed
Now to 2030
Chateau Des Estanilles
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