The Rives-Blanques « simply heart-breaking »  Chardonnay, Odyssée, was put at the head of the class of white wines from the Languedoc with 18 points, and it « gets better every year », says Tamlyn Currin, Jancis Robinson’s talented taster in charge of this massive three-part region-wide tasting.

« It has become more and more sculpted every year, but never sacrificing structure for purity, or purity for fruit. I tasted this, the first time, in a line-up of Languedoc whites commanding double or more in price. It soared above them, effortlessly », she said.

« When it comes to fizz in the south of France, Limoux is undisputed queen, producing three quite different styles » she explained.  « I’m watching Rives-Blanques with great interest here because their  new sparkling cuvée, Saphir is a stunning wine, » she said.  « Still wines have always been their métier; are they going to start being known for their fizz? »

Her tasting notes  are a delight to read,  « A wine that, for me, symbolises 2021 – the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel », she said of Saphir, perfectly encapsulating the surge of optimism carried by fine, fresh  bubbles