The Viognier comes from the same source as the Roussanne but is picked earlier—around the same time as Souillard’s reds. This cooler site plays into this grower’s desire for restrained, refreshing, linear whites. Old vines, precise picking dates and artisanal vinification make this the antithesis of blowsy Viognier. It was raised and aged in neutral, old oak for 12 to 15 months to retain fruit purity.

“Shiny yellow robe; the nose has stored up some richness, a white peach, apricot with a note of cool aniseed and dried herbs. The palate is pinpoint, offers delightful accuracy of fruit, pear with a little herbal note late on there is very fine, neat gras here, and the finish is really precise and lightly mineral. Its precision gives it its charm.

It’s airborne in style, which is an achievement. This is very good. “The nose is a bit vegetal, but it is very white flowers and subtle on the palate, aided by the altitude – it’s fine, with gras, and very good with Asiatic cuisine and a lot of cheeses,” J-B Souillard. 13°.” Jonathan Livingstone-Learmonth, Drink Rhône