2021 Domaine Courtois La Source Cotes du Rhone Blanc 750 ml

Forget the complex calculations of price, score, rarity, and other data points—sometimes the decision to offer a wine is as simple as taking a sip and saying we’ve got to offer this.

That was the case with the 2021 Courtois La Source Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc. 

Grown on the Jaume family’s stellar terroir in the Rhône village of Vinsobres but bearing the humble Côtes-du-Rhône label, this complex, medium-bodied do-it-all white wine is as satisfying as it gets. Displaying off-the-charts aromatics of lemon curd, jasmine flowers, lime peel, fresh ripe white peach, and beeswax, it’s crisp on the palate, with juicy acidity and fresh citrus and apple flavors leading into a surprisingly long, even finish.

Vinsobres is a fantastic terroir. The French wine authorities recognized it in 2006, when they elevated the Southern Rhône commune to cru status. The Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel acknowledged it when they plunked down cash for a 60-acre parcel in Vinsobres. And one of the most revered men in the Rhône, Château de Saint Cosme’s legendary Louis Barruol, ratified it when he staked his own claim, purchasing Château de Rouanne in 2019. 

The classification of the Vinsobres appellation has been an undeniable boon to the red wines of the area, but it has relegated the white wines of Vinsobres—grown on the exact same terroir, displaying the same balance of liveliness, freshness, and weight—to Côtes-du-Rhône status. For the consumer, this is a good thing—it’s a big part of why this 2021 Courtois La Source Cotes du Rhone Blanc is such a wonderful bargain.