It's great to taste the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Pure Roussanne beside the Pure Clairette. You get a real sense of the difference in these two varieties, with the Clairette providing a more focused, mineral-laced style and the Roussanne showing more richness and breadth. Medium gold-hued, with a powerful nose of honeyed orchard fruits, flower oil, orange blossom, and exotic spices, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish. While Clairette is the shiny new toy for Rhône lovers out there, this shows that readers shouldn't skimp on seeking out the more Roussanne-dominated cuvées.

The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Pure Roussanne enters the stage with ripe pear, yellow apple, spring blossom and herbal tea. Round and refreshing, it offers a juicy fruit core and concludes with excellent focus on the sapid finale.