Availability: | In stock |
Available in store: | Check availability |
The roots of this Southern Rhone family estate date back to 1780, when Pascal Odoyer first planted vines in Tavel & pioneered wine production in the region. In 1970, Pascal’s great-nephew Pierre Lafond built the cellar on the site & expanded production. A racing fan, he named the estate after the great racehorse, Roquepine, giving it a Provençal flare with “Roc-Épine”. Based in Tavel, over the years the family has gathered prized vineyards in top appellations in the Rhone, and has become a benchmark producer in Lirac and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Pierre’s son Jean-Baptiste joined the family business in 2015 after graduating oenology school in Beaune.
In 2009, the family began converting the vineyards to organic farming, and received certification in 2012. The warm, Mediterranean climate of Lirac brings abundant sunshine to the windy vineyards, allowing grapes to ripen beautifully year after year. The Lirac Blanc comes from 2 hectares of vines planted on rocky, sandy, clay/limestone soils. Grapes are all handpicked & destemmed before a short maceration on the skins. The wine is bottled in January to maximize the fresh, fruity aromas.
A lovely, lively blend of lime-tree, white flower, and citron aromas. Racy & fresh on the palate, with tons of fruit, reminiscent of citrus rind, peaches, apricots, apple, lemon, honey, and acacia. Slightly spicy & peppery on the finish, with a round texture. Herbal, gingery, stoney and zesty, it’s fantastic as an aperitif or with any sort seafood or vegetarian fare.
50% Grenache, 30% Roussane, 20% Viognier