Clos Bellane

Valréas is the most northerly of the southern Rhône villages, which perhaps explains the predominance of striking white wines from marsanne, roussanne and viognier at this 48 hectare estate. Stéphane Vedeau, who purchased the property in 2010, was drawn to its 400m elevation on the Vinsobres plateau, the east facing vineyards, and a high occurrence of active limestone in the soils. His aim was to make a range of terroir driven cuvées that would emphasize freshness and balance over alcohol and extract. There is a fastidious attention to detail here, with organic farming, a rigorous selection of berries at harvest, gravity flow cellar and only indigenous yeasts. There is an extensive list of cuvées produced and special note should be given to the complex whites and barrel aged rosés which are gastronomic fine wines in a class of their own.