Eric Texier, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Vieilles Vignes, Southern Rhône, France, 2020

Producer Profile

A man of conviction but by no means a zealot, Eric Texier likes to push the boundaries.

Despite having no experience or contacts in wine, he decided to give up a career as a nuclear engineer and study winemaking in 1992, interning with Jean-Marie Guffens at Verget in Mâcon. Lacking the network to buy his own vineyard, Eric served his time with established winemakers then made négoce wines with the fruit of like-minded purists until he was introduced to François Pouchoulin – AKA ‘the Godfather of Brézème’. Eric was fascinated by the history of this tiny enclave on the southernmost edge of the Northern Rhône, on the left bank of the river. South- facing, at 300m of elevation, it has limestone-rich clay soils that grow rockier as the slope rises. In the mid-19th century, its wines rivalled those of Hermitage, but by 1961 just a single hectare remained. With Pouchoulin’s help and guidance, Texier eventually succeeded in purchasing a tiny parcel of vines in Brézème. Many years later, he has now put the Brézème appellation firmly back on the map and is its leading grower. After Brézème, Eric and his wife Laurence (the backbone of their business – they are very much a team and travel everywhere together) purchased another tiny plot, this time in the Ouvèze valley of the Ardèche, on the right bank of the Rhone. This site has granite soils, sits at a higher altitude than Brézème and has higher growing temperatures. According to Eric, both of these classic Northern Rhone plots had almost been forgotten because of their isolated geographic position and small surface areas. Today, Eric and Laurence have 12ha under cultivation, with vines aged from 30 to 90 years old on both sides of the Rhone, all of which are worked organically. This is not a sudden conversion or a response to trend: Eric has worked organically since the beginning. He also follows some biodynamic principles, but is not dogmatic about it.

Viticulture

An exquisite expression of this well-known appellation, from 50% Bourbolenc & 50% Clairette. Grapes are from 50-year-old bush vines, on a small plot in the lieu-dit of Bois Sénéchaux. The northerly exposure and classic galets roulés over cooler, clay-based soils provide warmth for perfect ripening, and maintain soil moisture.

Winemaking

Grapes are direct pressed followed by a natural cold settling. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in oak barrels using indigenous yeasts, with ageing for 16-20 months without racking. MLF takes place in barrel. Bottled without fining, filtration or the addition of sulphur. Only about 4 barrels are made each year.

Tasting Note

A magical blend that displays real intensity in its youth, with herbs, nuts and a mineral depth, which evolve into more complex notes of pine nuts, cannabis, and honey with time in bottle.

Food Matching

Match this full-flavoured wine with full-flavoured dishes, but delicious with simpler foods such as roast chicken or whole roast Turbot for a real treat.