2011 Domaine Vaquer Esquisse Blanc

I have a special love of this winery, as it has been a hidden gem for years. But now that the good folks at Kermit Lynch are bringing in one of their wines, well perhaps it will achieve the notoriety it deserves. FWIW I have tasted the 2001 red vaquer that KLWM has in stock and recommend it highly for those who can receive wine from Berkeley's best known wine merchant.

Last night in Collioure I had the good fortune to find one of their wines on the list, and while I am very familiar with the Vaquer reds, the whites have not been something I'm at all familiar with. The 2011 Vaquer Esquisse is a delight as the blend of Roussanne (34%)  Maccabeu (33%)  Grenache Blanc (33%) has both fruit and minerality that lingers on the palate with lemon, lime and peach flavors. For a Côtes du Roussillon A.O.C. white wine, this is a real gem. The length and finish lingers, and as the bottle opens it only gets better.