ABOUT: Severine and Philippe Bourrier acquired this gorgeous property in 1998 in the tiny town Montescot, just outside Perpignan in the south of France. The original purchase was made up of 26 hectares of vines and 4 hectares of olive trees in alluvial marl soils near the Reart river. Phillippe, having a background in organic methods, immediately converted the whole operation to organic viticulture and has since added another 24 hectares of vines, all certified organic. The newest hectares are spread out over three distinct terriors and 300-400 meters high on black schist. This is where the Roussanne in the exceptional Rhapsody Blanc comes from, our introduction to the amazing wines of Chateau de L’Ou. This beauty is lush and rich with flavors of peaches, apricots, buttered toast and a long finish. A perfect shift away from high-toned citrus driven white wines which we love, but sometimes want a break from. TASTE: Jeb Dunnuck had some nice words to say about the Rhapsody Blanc. "The 2022 Cotes Catalanes Rhapsody Blanc is smoking good and reminiscent of a Northern Rhone white (despite being all Roussanne). Stone fruits, buttered apples, white flowers, and a vibrant sense of minerality all emerge on the nose, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. It's a classy, serious wine in the making." PAIR: Fennel gratin, shiitake risotto with black truffle, smoked vegetables and potatoes, raclette with cornichons, Beaufort mac & cheese, sunflower tarragon roasted vegetables, and crispy bean flautas.
