Les Amadous Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2005

Its a Saturday night treat as I'm opening a rather unusual bottle of wine, a rhone valley white wine from the Chateauneuf du Pape AOC. Its an unusual wine since Chateauneuf du Pape is infamous for its wonderful and full bodied reds, and about 95% of its production is focusing on making such lovely wines.

Chateauneuf du Pape is also one of the oldest wine region in France, ever since wine making techniques made its way from Persia and Egypt crossing Greece(Romans) to Italy and finally to the Southern tip of France in modern day Rhone Valley! Meaning "the new house of the Pope", the name derives from Geoffrey, the Bishop of Avignon,who in 1157 planted vines and personally managed his own estate in Châteauneuf du Pape.

This wine is made from a blend of Grenache Blanc, Picardan and Clairette. The Granache Blance provides the fragrance, Picardan the smooth body and the Clairette the finesse and brilliance. Ok, here's the tasting note!

APPEARANCE
A vibrant light gold hue with an amazing color and oily appearance. Superb clarity and good tears showing its body.

NOSE

Peppermint and grape drops really dominate the initial nose.Some white stone fruits, wild flowers and some subtle hints of green peppers..its surprising that I get some wild roots aromas such as ginseng roots and dried shitake mushrooms! There's a base fruit character of grapefruits and pears.

PALATE

A lovely level of white fruit acids with a surprising medium body, unexpected from the rounded stones of Chateauneuf du Pape. A lip smacking and lengthy fruit finish. Overall, a wonderful white wine to be appreciated with chinese food.