Despite exhibiting a certain honeyed richness, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance Blanc finishes clean and refreshing. It's a delicate balance to strike in a warm year, but this is full-bodied and opulent without being overbearing, overflowing with notes of ripe pear and melon, but also elements suggestive of lemon and fennel fronds.

A classically styled blend of 35% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette and 15% Bourboulenc, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance Blanc features lovely aromas of tangerine and pineapple. Aged in a 25-hectoliter wooden upright, hints of honey appear, along with ripe pear and melon, a silky feel on the medium to full-bodied palate and a long, zesty, focused finish.

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance Blanc showed well in my blind tasting, boasting hints of honey and plentiful pineapple fruit. It's ripe and weighty, with an undeniably rich texture but one that's balanced by tangerine and lime notes and a refreshing finish.

It appears I seriously underrated Sabon's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance Blanc last year. I was happy to retaste this blend of 30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 20% Bourboulenc and 20% Clairette. Now that it's had more time in bottle, it's showing plenty of honeyed pineapple richness up front but also bright, refreshing citrus flavors on a long finish.

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance Blanc (30% each of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc, with 20% each of Clairette and Bourboulenc) offers terrific purity and a fresh, lively, medium-bodied style that’s hard to resist. It has impressive complexity as well, with lots of citrus blossom, thyme and floral aromas and flavors. This is terrific white that should drink nicely for 2-4 years, with the caveat that these can be aged longer. as well.