Notify me
2021 Pays d’Oc Blanc “Les Traverses de Fontanès”
Château Fontanès

This is the only white we’ve ever encountered that combines Chenin Blanc with Rolle (Vermentino) and Clairette—who ever would have thought those three could coexist so deliciously? But Cyriaque Rozier, the vigneron in charge at Château Fontanès, doesn’t leave anything to chance—his every move is measured, backed by endless research and hard work and guided by his sharp palate. If he decided to plant Chenin in this unusual southerly location, amid the craggy, garrigue-covered limestone slopes that make up the Pic Saint Loup appellation, he did so with purpose and intent. He knew that this is one of the coolest zones in the Languedoc, with elevation and cool air currents from the Cévennes Mountains tempering the Mediterranean sunshine, and Chenin would preserve excellent acidity to confer this wine nerve. It certainly does add some interesting character to his blend along with Rolle’s floral aromatics. Melony, snappy, bright, and clean, this is a delightful everyday white with a refreshingly different flavor profile.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 40% Rolle, 40% Chenin Blanc, 20% Clairette |
Appellation: | Vin de Pays d’Oc |
Country: | France |
Region: | Languedoc-Roussillon |
Producer: | Château Fontanès |
Winemaker: | Cyriaque Rozier |
Vineyard: | 1 ha, planted in 2005 |
Soil: | Limestone |
Farming: | Biodynamic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region

2022 Corbières Rosé “Gris de Gris”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Its peachy-pink hue hints at what’s to come: orchard fruits and brambly wild berries, grapefruit and wet slate after a summer rain! A staple wine I can’t live without.

2021 Pays d’Oc Cabernet Sauvignon “Les Traverses”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Genuinely reflecting the down-home, country soulfulness we love about the Languedoc.

2020 Saint-Chinian Rouge “Clos de la Simonette”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A Mourvèdre-majority masterpiece, lots of pleasure and even more soul.

2013 Muscat de Rivesaltes
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A local specialty, Mille Vignes’ Muscat de Rivesaltes flaunts a ravishing perfume of infinite flowers and fruits, equally refreshing as an apéritif as it is satisfying with dessert.

2021 Saint-Chinian Blanc
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Showcasing impressive texture and flavors of citrus, stone fruit, and spring flowers, this offers a great pairing for grilled fish or seared scallops.

2019 Saint-Chinian Rouge “Causse du Bousquet”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A Syrah-based blend from rocky limestone vineyards—tremendous value!

2020 Corbières Rouge “Réserve La Demoiselle”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Hailing from the rugged and windswept hills of Corbières, which teem with garrigue and olive groves, La Demoiselle delivers a glorious taste of the South.

2020 Collioure Rouge “Puig Ambeille”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A stony, spicy cuvée full of Mediterranean sunshine, aromatic garrigue, and a hint of salinity that offers a perfect match for grilled rosemary lamb chops.

2022 Pays d’Oc Blanc “Les Traverses de Fontanès”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Melony, snappy, bright, and clean, this is a delightful everyday white with a refreshingly different flavor profile.

2021 Languedoc Rouge “Lou Maset”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
There is a strangely beautiful harmony between earth, sun, and man.

About The Producer
Château Fontanès
About The Region
Languedoc-Roussillon
Ask wine drinkers around the world, and the word “Languedoc” is sure to elicit mixed reactions. On the one hand, the region is still strongly tied to its past as a producer of cheap, insipid bulk wine in the eyes of many consumers. On the other hand, it is the source of countless great values providing affordable everyday pleasure, with an increasing number of higher-end wines capable of rivaling the best from other parts of France.
While there’s no denying the Languedoc’s checkered history, the last two decades have seen a noticeable shift to fine wine, with an emphasis on terroir. Ambitious growers have sought out vineyard sites with poor, well draining soils in hilly zones, curbed back on irrigation and the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and looked to balance traditional production methods with technological advancements to craft wines with elegance, balance, and a clear sense of place. Today, the overall quality and variety of wines being made in the Languedoc is as high as ever.
Shaped like a crescent hugging the Mediterranean coast, the region boasts an enormous variety of soil types and microclimates depending on elevation, exposition, and relative distance from the coastline and the cooler foothills farther inland. While the warm Mediterranean climate is conducive to the production of reds, there are world-class whites and rosés to be found as well, along with stunning dessert wines revered by connoisseurs for centuries.
More from Languedoc-Roussillon or France
2014 Pays de l'Aude Muscat Sec
Domaine Les Mille Vignes France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Corbières Rouge
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2022 Pays d’Oc Blanc “Les Traverses de Fontanès”
Les Traverses de Fontanès France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2020 Collioure Rouge “La Pinède”
Domaine La Tour Vieille France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2020 Pays d’Oc Rouge “Les Vieilles Vignes de Mourvèdre”
Château La Roque France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Corbières Rosé “Gris de Gris” MAGNUM
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2020 Pic Saint Loup “Tour de Pierres”
Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Terrasses du Larzac Rouge
Les Vignes Oubliées France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Languedoc Rouge “Lou Maset”
Domaine d’Aupilhac France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2019 Saint-Chinian Rouge “Causse du Bousquet”
Mas Champart France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2020 Pic Saint Loup Rouge “Cupa Numismae”
Château La Roque France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Saint-Chinian Blanc
Mas Champart France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2014 Pays de l'Aude Muscat Sec
Domaine Les Mille Vignes France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Corbières Rouge
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2022 Pays d’Oc Blanc “Les Traverses de Fontanès”
Les Traverses de Fontanès France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2020 Collioure Rouge “La Pinède”
Domaine La Tour Vieille France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2020 Pays d’Oc Rouge “Les Vieilles Vignes de Mourvèdre”
Château La Roque France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Corbières Rosé “Gris de Gris” MAGNUM
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2020 Pic Saint Loup “Tour de Pierres”
Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Terrasses du Larzac Rouge
Les Vignes Oubliées France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Languedoc Rouge “Lou Maset”
Domaine d’Aupilhac France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2019 Saint-Chinian Rouge “Causse du Bousquet”
Mas Champart France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2020 Pic Saint Loup Rouge “Cupa Numismae”
Château La Roque France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2021 Saint-Chinian Blanc
Mas Champart France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211