Chateau Mont Thabor Illumine Luberon Blanc 2021

Chateau Mont Thabor is just everything we love about the Southern Rhone – great wines, lovingly reared by the most amazing people, and full of incredible history. Add in the simply amazing price of just $19.95 and this brilliant, textured, white wine just might be THE wine of the spring!

Founded by the Illuminés d'Avignon sect in the 1600s (basically, a splinter cell of the Illuminati, in search of the mythical philosopher's stone), and named for a seedling tree brought from Israel's holy mountain, Mont Thabor passed through several hands before the Stehlins purchased the property in the 1880s. A few generations later, Daniel Stehlin and his fantastic mustache took over. The practice of selling their product to the local co-op ceased immediately. Explorations in the making of classically styled, regionally authentic wines were made...with ever-growing success. As Daniel continued to upgrade the wines and vineyards, his daughter, Fanny, joined the crew, alongside her husband, Vincent. With Vincent came these high-altitude vineyards in Luberon, just east of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Provence.

For this white blend, a 50/50 mix of vermentino (also known as rolle) and grenache blanc, are grown at over 1,600 feet in elevation on sandy clay soils. Following a short maceration on the skins for extra texture and complexity – this supremely delectable white showcases a salty, mineral freshness, with bright and floral notes of pears, peaches, almond flowers, and lemon meringue. There’s a textural richness, and an almost oily characteristic here, with a tingly acidity that keeps everything very lifted and zippy. This is one of the best Rhone whites you will ever see at this incredible price – and it will compete with Rhone whites at the $60-100 price point without question. Perfect with shellfish, or chicken, or pork – really, just about everything. We snagged as much as we could, now the chance is yours!