Orbelle

Orbelle takes its name from the river that borders the estate to the west. It is the most confidential wine in the range — fifteen hundred bottles a year, set aside for Michelin-starred restaurants and the estate's loyal customers.

Rolle brings structure and tension, Viognier perfume and richness. The two varieties are fermented separately and blended afterwards, then aged for eight months in stoneware amphorae. The natural micro-oxygenation of the fired clay gives the wine a silky texture, without the vanilla or toast of oak.

Golden in colour, with a nose of ripe apricot, acacia honey, beeswax and fresh hazelnut. The palate is broad, almost rich, yet the finish stays precise — a fine acidity that holds everything in balance. A white for fine dining, to decant an hour before serving.

Food pairing: made for grand tables — lobster cooked on the plancha, veal sweetbreads in a morel sauce, farm chicken in a cream sauce. It also opens up beautifully with soft, bloomy-rind cheeses (Brie de Meaux, Camembert de Normandie). A wine that deserves a dish to match.