Domaine Gilles Robin - Papillon Blanc 2024
Domaine Gilles Robin is part of the wine history of Mercurol, in Drôme, at the heart of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation and the great landscapes of northern Rhône. The first family plots date back to 1920, before several generations gradually developed the vineyard around a demanding reading of the terroirs. Gilles Robin took over the estate in 1996, after training as an oenologist and winemaking experiences that still nourish his precise approach to wine today. While the property initially distinguished itself with its Syrah reds, it also asserts a fine sensitivity for northern Rhône whites, particularly around Marsanne. The estate's work is based on grape quality, manual harvesting, and a search for balance between freshness, finesse, and expression of the place. With Papillon Blanc 2024, Gilles Robin offers a luminous interpretation of white Crozes-Hermitage, in an accessible, floral, and naturally elegant style.
Domaine Gilles Robin Papillon Blanc 2024 is made exclusively from Marsanne, the emblematic grape variety of the great whites of northern Rhône. The grapes come from young vines about 7 years old, located on the Pends hillside, a sector of Mercurol marked by white loess-type clays. This terroir gives the wine a supple, delicate, and fresh expression, well suited to a cuvée of pleasure and precision. The harvest is done manually, then the grapes are pressed directly to preserve aromatic purity. Fermentation takes place at low temperature, followed by a 20-day maceration in a temperature-controlled stainless steel tank. The 6-month aging in barrels adds a touch of volume and complexity, without diverting the wine from its floral and fruity character. The 2024 vintage highlights an elegant white Crozes-Hermitage, carried by saline freshness and the finesse of Marsanne.
On the palate, Domaine Gilles Robin's Papillon Blanc 2024 reveals a fresh, expressive, and delicate nose, marked by white flowers, citrus, and white fruits. The mouth is ample without heaviness, with a smooth texture well balanced by beautiful liveliness. Marsanne brings a sensation of roundness and gourmandise, while the discreet aging provides structure and a more harmonious finish. The whole remains fresh, saline, and luminous, in a very digestible register for a white Crozes-Hermitage. This wine will perfectly accompany fresh fish, tataki, seafood, crustaceans, fresh goat cheese, or delicate Mediterranean cuisine. Served around 10 to 12 °C, it will be very enjoyable in its youth for its aromatic brightness, while being able to evolve for 5 to 6 years depending on storage conditions.
Grape variety: 100% Marsanne
