Vine age: 100 years old. Vineyards: From the Gallimardes, a single vineyard in the south of the appellation. Aging: In stainless steel except for Roussane which is aged in barrels for 6 months.
Of the 8 hectares of old vines that Marie and François Giraud farm in Galimardes, a rocky and red clay soil on the road between the villages Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Sorgues, 1 hectare are white varieties – roughly equal parts Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne and Bourboulenc. Each variety is harvested exactly when it is ripe and is gently pressed into tank except the Roussanne which is fermented in French oak demi-muids. After 6 months of aging Marie assembles the final blend. Due to the age of the vines the exact blend changes from vintage to vintage as does the quantity of wine bottled.
92 points, "The just-bottled 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes Blanc checks in as equal parts Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne, all of which came from the les Galimardes lieu-dit, and was aged mostly in stainless steel with 25% in new barrels. It’s a lively, fresh and impeccably balanced white that has lots of juicy citrus rind, sappy flower, hints of pineapple and even mint in its medium-bodied, layered and length profile. It will be better in six months and have 2-3 years of prime drinking, and keep longer if you’re so inclined." - Wine Advocate