1998 Vin de Pays de l'Herault Blanc

Aromas of clove, spice and white flowers, along with less fresh suggestions of honey and white chocolate. Sweet, rich and a bit alcoholic, still holding about three grams per liter of residual sugar. Quite fat but on the heavy side, with notes of roasted grain and oak spice. Roussanne is finer in Hermitage, says Vaille; here it tends to be fat and fleshy, behaving more like marsanne in Hermitage. I also got an early look at the '99 white prior to its malolactic fermentation-a vintage Vaille prefers for its fresher acidity and elegance. This wine was clearly livelier and spicier on the nose, with fresh citrus notes not found in the '98. It should be an excellent vintage for this bottling.