Laurent Fayolle is a 6th generation winemaker in the Northern Rhône appellation of Crozes-Hermitage (Crowzh-urmeetahzh). Located on the North side of the famed hill of Hermitage, his vineyards are in the original zone before it was expanded in 1952. The soils and similarities to Hermitage are much greater in this part of the appellation. If you’ve never had or even heard of a white from Crozes-Hermitage that is because 90% of the production is red and very little of the whites make it to the US. When Laurent inherited his vineyards in 2002 he immediately converted to organic viticulture and is now certified. This blend of 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne from more than 50-year-old vines is fermented and aged in tank. The flavors of a good Rhône blanc are all here: apricot, green plum and melon, apple, stones and white flowers. This would be outstanding with a roast chicken.