Although the Rhone Valley is famed for its red wines, white wines have a long heritage in the southern region, where the locals enjoy an occasional glass at the start of a warm evening. La Fleur Solitaire is therefore a solitaire amongst the rubies of our Boutinot Rhone range; a white Cotes du Rhone made from traditional southern Rhone white grape varieties.

This is a proper white Cotes du Rhone; fresh, medium-bodied, vinous. The nose is pretty and delicate, with a waft of fennel tops and hints of hedgerow flowers. The flavours are nuanced and refined rather than overt. Careful use of oak adds texture and structure without masking the freshness of this very drinkable white.

Following an experiment with a micro cuvee crafted from seven barrels back in 2009, we now source grapes from selected vineyards in the southern Rhône. Each parcel is picked separately in the cooler early daylight hours for gentle pressing that same morning, and each is fermented at a low temperature. To a base of Grenache Blanc, we blend Viognier along with co-fermented pairs of Roussanne/Marsanne and Bourboulenc/Clairette (for freshness). Over the years we have increased the proportion vinified in stainless steel, with approximately a quarter of the wine now vinified and matured for 6 months in 3rd fill 300l French oak barrels.