2023 Domaine Fontchene, Alpilles Blanc, Les Antiques

Domaine Fontchêne is based near the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where René Milan took over his family’s estate in 2013 and converted the entirety of the vineyards to organic and biodynamic farming. This wine is made from a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, and Chardonnay grown in clay-loam soils peppered with galets roulés. In the glass, it shows subtle aromatics of pear and candied citrus, followed by a texture that balances rounded, soft weight with a bright, persistent acidity and a distinct note of anise. The 2023 vintage provided the necessary conditions to maintain this freshness and tension, ensuring the wine avoided over-ripeness despite the warmth of the region.