Chateau Bois d'Arlene, Vacqueyras L'orée du Bois Blanc - 2018
Fast Facts:
Winemaker(s): Norge Larson & Arlène Libby
Region: AOC Vacqueyras, Provence, France
Varietal(s): Viognier, Roussanne
Terroir: Clay-limestone soils, Garrigues plateau, Mistral influence
Serving Temp: 50–55°F
The Vacqueyras appellation is famous for its reds, big Grenache-dominant wines that share a lot of DNA with Châteauneuf-du-Pape next door. But the white varietals in contrast are made in such tiny quantities, they're rarely seen stateside.
We've featured Bois d'Arlene before in club, and you may remember the Seattle natives Norge Larson and Arlène Libby. About twenty years ago, they came to Vacqueyras on vacation, fell completely in love with the place, and started a deep friendship with Philippe and Élizabeth who had had been farming this area for five generations. This friendship eventually became a partnership, and in 2013, Norge and Arlène bought Château Bois d'Arlène, a seven-hectare estate tucked into the Garrigues plateau. The estate is home to a pond at its center that supports a full wildlife reserve, a charming and somewhat rare ecological feature for this part of Provence. In that very first year, they planted the Viognier and Roussanne vines that went into this bottle.
This 2018 vintage comes from those first vines, still very much "young", and yet with a few years of bottle age behind it, it shows up with incredible depth and structure. Viognier is a super aromatic varietal, which is where that rich stone fruit and honeysuckle prominently comes from. The Roussanne adds texture and a distinctive herbal intensity. Together they make this warming, French country Spring evening bike ride vibe wine. Structurally complex, and will play nice with plenty of food, or while lying on the floor while listening to some vinyl with your besties.
Why'd we pick it?
The Seattle connection is quite lovely, and we do especially love the inspiration of buying vineyard in Provence after falling in love with a place and its people. What a dream! And white Vacqueyras is a special treat that isn't found often. Rich, textured, food-obsessed, and from people who clearly put their whole hearts into this place.
Field Notes
- Tastes like: White peach, apricot, and honeysuckle with some herbes de Provence. Full-bodied white and punchy on the palate, a touch of beeswax on the mid palate, and a long finish.
- Serve it: take this one out of the fridge for about 30 minutes before getting into it.
- Food pairings: I'm dreaming of roasted chicken thighs in a creamy tarragon pan sauce, or a Spring vegetable gratin with lotsa gruyère. For you fancy pants, a good foie gras or chicken liver pâté on crusty bread.
