Boutinot’s love affair with the Southern Rhone spans thirty years of making wine in the region. In 2010, the relationship was sealed with the purchase of a winery and vineyards above the village of Cairanne. Domaine Boutinot’s seven vineyards are planted with classic southern Rhone grape varieties, old vine Grenache Noir and Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan Noir, and they all sit within the Cairanne Cru boundaries, sanctioned in 2016 when Cairanne was granted its own appellation status.

Working with our vigneron neighbours we are helping to revive traditional grape varieties such as Cinsault and Counoise, and in the cellar we prefer time-honoured winemaking methods such as a long cuvasion aided only by natural yeasts, gentle remontage, manual pigeage and patient maturation in a nursery of French oak barrels.

In July 2021 Domaine Boutinot Rhne achieved the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE 3) certification This certification recognises a high level of commitment to protecting and enriching the environment with the focus on biodiversity conservation, plant protection strategy, management of fertiliser use and management of water.

Vineyards

Following an experiment with a micro cuve crafted from seven barrels back in 2009, we now source grapes from selected vineyards in the southern Rhne.

Vinification

50% Greanache Blanc, 20% Viognier, 7.5% Rousanne, 22.5% Other.

Each parcel is picked separately in the cooler early daylight hours for gentle pressing that same morning, and each is fermented at a low temperature. To a base of Grenache Blanc, we blend Viognier along with co-fermented pairs of Roussanne/Marsanne and Bourboulenc/Clairette. Over the years we have increased the proportion vinified in stainless steel, with just under a third of the wine now vinified and matured for 6 months French oak barrels (mostly 3rd fill but some new) to add complexity and creaminess.

Tasting Notes

Although famed for its red wines, white wines have a long heritage in the southern Rhne valley, where the locals enjoy an occasional glass at the start of a warm evening. La Fleur Solitaire is a solitaire amongst the rubies of our Boutinot Rhne range; a white Ctes du Rhne made from traditional southern Rhne white grape varieties.

Proper white Cotes du Rhone; fresh, medium-bodied, vinous. The nose is pretty and delicate, with a waft of fennel tops and hints of hedgerow flowers. The flavours are nuanced and refined rather than overt. Careful use of oak adds texture and structure without masking the freshness of this very drinkable white.

A lovely apritif, and delicious with lighter dishes such as grilled asparagus drizzled with olive oil and toasted almonds or a goats cheese salad. Fish and chicken are a perfect partner; especially grilled halibut or cod, or a creamy chicken dishes such as the French Poulet lEstragon (chicken in a tarragon sauce).