Sound quality Clairette de Die

LVT wh 2018 5.5 hectares, sound Clairette de Die Tradition, notably the old vine, plot specific Méthode Ancestrale Muscat Les Clos, and an interesting Méthode Ancestrale Tradition. The oldest Muscat dates from 1954, the oldest Clairette from 1968. This is a biodynamic, organic domaine. The white Vin de France Pillou is another example of good foundation IGP/Vin de France wine from the Diois, in being half 1968 Muscat and half 1968 Clairette. In 2018 David introduced a likeable Vin de France called Mouss’Car (do the phonetics) from the 1954 and 1968 Muscat vines.

LVT  2015  r  2014 wh  Top address at Clairette de Die. Organic since 1997, with both father and son having worked in Champagne. Frédéric [pictured] studied at Mâcon Davayé, and then worked between 1995 and 1997 chez Bollinger. Saillans is an early ripening area so does well in years such as 2014. The family have been moving away from flatland vineyards in favour of hillside or slope vineyards in recent years. The Raspails are the last family to decant on the pupitres rather than filtering after the take-on of mousse. The Clairette is turned by hand (remuage).

The 100% Muscat Clairette de Die Must and Crémant de Die Cuvée Flavien are very good, and the whole range presents consistent quality. The Raspails also make a good vin de pays Syrah from a well situated and recently revived hillside called La Roustière and a lively but well founded Chardonnay vin de pays, based on 1986-88 vines. They also have a holiday home for 2 to 4 people.

LVT NV wh wines here, 2017 r  The Tradition Clairette de Die is the best wine, a top grade example of Clairette de Die, can be ****. There is also a very interesting Coteaux de Die still white from mature Clairette. Since 2016 they have made two plot-specific Clairette de Dies, one white, the other rosé, from poor marl soils at 450 metres. These are called Clairette de Die Divine Tradition, which has a production of 7,000 bottles or so, against 120,000 of the regular. The white is great, really elegant and beguiling. In 2016 Emmanuel also launched a Châtillon-en-Diois red based on 1990 Gamay from 550 metres - it's a very correct altitude wine, even if the degree can be high. There has also been a partnership Vinsobres red.

LVT 2014 wh spkling 2012 wh  The old Cave de Die, rebranded as Jaillance. Large quantity, top level wines have improved. The Clairette de Die Tradition Titus is good.  The Cave also has an organic selection.