Château Fortia, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Rhône Valley, France) 2018

 Château Fortia has a long history of producing fine wines from the Southern Rhône. While their Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge is better known and the majority of Fortia’s production, their Châteauneuf Blanc is a rare and delicious treasure.  The 2018 Châteaunduf Blanc offers opulent fruit, layers of complexity and a rich texture that exemplifies the fine Rhône Valley style.  It has forward aromas of ripe peach, pear and Rainier cherry fruits backed by floral, cream and tropical fruit nuances.  The intriguing range of flavors encompasses the peach, cherry, and tropical fruits interwoven with hints of cream and spice.  Its rich texture reflects the high quality of the fruit sources and the winemaking skill that supports it.  The blend is Roussanne (80%), Clairette (10%) and Grenache Blanc (10%).  Enjoy it now or over the next 3 to 5 years.