Winemaker Notes
This is a great wine that shows character and elegance, and honors the historical grape varietals of the region. Soft pear and white flowers on a misty, frosted nose. Palate is gentle and friendly, with hints of stone fruits, apricot, framed by citrus zest. No malolactic fermentation is allowed to preserve the freshness. Maturation is on the fine lees with regular stirring in stainless steel vats for 6 months. Bottling is in March/April of the year following the harvest.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2025 Brotte Esprit Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc shows a clear straw color with a green tint; ripe fruit and earthy aromas; medium-bodied, bright and sturdy on the palate; crisp citrus and ripe orchard-fruit flavors carry through the fresh finish. A rustic French pairing: herb-roasted chicken with potatoes and garlic.
Located in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1931, the Brotte family own 3 exceptional estates in the Southern Rhone Valley. Here, Grenache is king and flourishes with its expressive fruit and is masterfully blended with Syrah and Mourvedre to add freshness and structure. Focused on protecting the environment, all Brotte Family estates are certified Sustainable by the Terra Vitis organization. As well as estate-grown wines, Maison Brotte collaborates with other growers to produce top quality wines from other appellations, including Condrieu, Côte Rôtie, Gigondas and Côtes de Provence. Their entire portfolio is consistently highly rated by the industries top publications and always reliable.
Producing full-bodied white wines, Grenache Blanc can be unctuous and soft or floral and fresh. Some of the finest examples are terroir-driven, age-worthy wines. It is a key ingredient in white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and many white blends across southern France and NE Spain. Somm Secret—Grenache Blanc plays a key role in the vins doux naturels of Rivesaltes and a subsidiary role in those of Banyuls and Maury.
Typically thought of as a baby Chateâuneuf-du-Pape, the term Côtes du Rhône actually doesn’t merely apply to the flatter outskirts of the major southern Rhône appellations, it also includes the fringes of well-respected northern Rhône appellations. White wines can be produced under the appellation name, but very little is actually made.
The region offers some of the best values in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds. Red wine varieties include most of the Chateâuneuf-du-Pape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise, as well as Carignan. White grapes grown include Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, among others.