You don’t see many Châteauneuf du Pape blanc wines in Australia. White wine is however increasingly a focus for the Rhône Valley with the region facing the challenge of declining consumption of its red wines. For those interested in wine market dynamics, there is a great article here explaining the current difficult market for southern Rhône reds and strategies to overcome it. Expect to see more whites from this region, although Australia is not I expect a relevant export market in value or volume terms, but may be a niche opportunity. The blend here is of mostly unfamiliar grapes for the international audience – grenache blanc, clairette, bourboulenc and, more familiar but not overly so, roussanne. In the glass, the 2019 vintage of Domaine La Millière is a distinctive, iridescent yellow gold in colour. Its aroma is peachy and herbal. The palate is dry, full bodied and has some underlying herbal notes typical of the region. Ready to drink now, this is lovely drinking. Review Rating: Good (★★★, 88 points). Website: Domaine La Milière. Tasted: April 2024.