Domaine Du Pegau A Tempo CdP Blanc 2018 (750ML)

96 JD / 94 WE / 94 WA / 94 WCI

The more limited production cuvée, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée A Tempo Blanc checks in as a blend of one-third each of Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne that comes from a mix of three different soils – pebbles, clay, and more sandy soils – all in the Mont Pertuis lieu-dit. It was vinified and aged in equal parts old barrels, stainless steel, and concrete. More medium-gold hued, with an exotic bouquet of mulled orchard fruits, spiced lemons, brioche, and a touch of spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a salty, spicy, incredibly long finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It’s certainly one of the most concentrated whites in the vintage and has a singular style all its own. This big, opulent, powerful white has plenty of upfront appeal yet is going to evolve nicely for 10-15 years or more. It’s beautifully done and well worth seeking out. - Jeb Dunnuck

While opulent and weighty in ripeness, there's a delightful mineral vitality to this full-bodied blend of nearly equal parts Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. White peach and Mirabelle flavors are succulent but pristine, etched by veins of honey, charred clove and smoke. A wine that's especially tempting young but should drink well through 2028 at least. — Anna Lee C. Iijima, Wine Enthusiast

Now that it is in bottle, Pegau's 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvée A Tempo reveals itself as a rich, honeyed offering. Framed by tight, structural oak, this equal-parts blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne boasts scents of ripe peaches and melons, accented by hints of caramelized pineapple, cedar shavings and toasted hazelnuts. It's full-bodied, broad and generous on the palate, yet somehow the finish comes across as refined, with enough citrus to provide length and focus. I'm a bit more suspect of its longevity than I was last year, but it should provide decadent drinking for at least the next several years.-Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate