“…a solid all-around Rhone-styled white, equally suitable
as an aperitif or a dinner wine…”
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I’ve been intrigued by Château Miraval since we first tasted the Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé in 2013. Back then, perhaps the main point of interest (for Americans, at least) was the involvement of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but the Château is actually a place dedicated to the arts, including music, cinema, theater, local food and fine wine. The winery component of the sprawling project was and still is a collaboration with the Perrin family, of Château Beaucastel fame. Brad and Angelina split up some years ago (there is an ongoing divorce and legal dispute between the two), but Pitt remains very involved in Château Miraval. We enjoyed several successive vintages of the Miraval Rosé, but until recently, that’s the only bottling we’ve seen.
A few weeks ago, I noticed a something new from Château Miraval at our local Costco, a white of all things, and I finally brought one home a few days ago. Here’re my impressions of what I found in the bottle.
2022 Château Miraval STUDIO by Miraval Blanc Méditerranée IGP, 12.5% alc., $13.99: This is a nice glass of white wine. It has good weight, depth and intensity, with racy acidity that keeps it all moving right along. Registering firmly in the white peach and yellow apple spectrum, with a moderate wet stone minerality and a hint of something like lanolin, it is composed of 100% Rolle (Vermentino), the main local white variety in the château’s neighborhood. It’s a solid all-around Rhone-styled white, equally suitable as an aperitif or a dinner wine, and it’s a good value at the price listed above.
The Rolle is vinified in tulip-shaped concrete vats with a rounded bottom. This ovoid shape creates a natural convection movement that suspends the lees creating the same effect as a batonnage. This results in a wines that keep their fruitiness and acidity but also gives texture and body.
I like to keep a “repertoire” of everyday whites, reds, rosés and bubblies on hand to choose from, say four or five of each. In that regard, STUDIO by Miraval Blanc is a solid addition to my white roster. I might change my tune if I had to pay more than $15 a bottle, but, happily, such is not the case. Judging from the fact that it hasn’t exactly been flying out of the Costco bins the last few weeks, you could call this a well-kept secret. I will certainly be picking up a few more bottles on my next visit. Find this wine
Imported by Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL
Reporting from Day-twah,
Bastardo
