Search results

Jasper Hill Farm Willoughby | Washed Rind | Vermont | 8 oz

Willoughby is one of the most approachable washed-rind cheeses made in America — and Jasper Hill Farm, tucked into Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, is one of the most important artisan creameries in the country. Named after the pristine lake nearby, Willoughby is made from the milk of Jasper Hill's own Ayrshire cows, washed with brine to develop its characteristic rosy rind and that signature, gently funky aroma.

Inside, the paste is fudgy, smooth, and almost molten near the rind — rich and buttery, with a complexity that belies its mild demeanor. The funk is real but restrained: pleasantly dank rather than aggressive, making it the ideal entry point for anyone curious about washed rinds.

"Fudgy, pleasantly dank, and smooth in texture, this complex Vermonter comes from Jasper Hill, the great Northeast Kingdom cheesemakers. Its slight funk makes it the perfect gateway cheese for novices new to washed rind aromas. Pair it with your favorite Chenin Blanc or Vouvray."
— Martin Johnson, Cheesemonger 67 Gourmet.

• Producer: Jasper Hill Farm, Greensboro, Vermont
• Style: Washed rind, soft-ripened
• Milk: Pasteurized cow's milk (Ayrshire)
• Size: 8 oz
• Best With: Chenin Blanc, Vouvray, dry cider, crusty bread, honey, charcuterie

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Bright notes of Meyer lemon, lime and stone fruit, along with hints of melon and guava, give way to a crisp acidity that lends a beautiful freshness and structure to this wine. Hints of tarragon and other light herbal and grass notes lurk in the background, as well as a mild tartness that is a hallmark of Sauvignon Blanc. This is a wine that is a perfect first glass of the evening…and you’re probably going to want a second.

Discover Domaine de La Solitude Pessac-Léognan Blanc 2023, an exceptional white Bordeaux that showcases the finest expression of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. This wine has garnered outstanding critical acclaim, with multiple scores in the 90+ range from the world's most respected wine critics. Crafted from grapes grown on gravel soils with cooler clays, this estate wine represents the perfect balance of fruit, freshness, and elegance that defines great white Bordeaux.

Exceptional Critical Acclaim - 2023 Vintage

James Suckling - 94 Points
"More savory and creamy than fruity, showing gooseberries, guavas and sliced apples. Fresh and round with medium body and a textured, long finish. Good energy, with a saline twist at the end. Nice phenolics and density at the end. Drink now or hold."

Jeb Dunnuck - 93 Points (91-93)
"The 2023 Domaine De La Solitude (Pessac-Léognan) Blanc will certainly be outstanding. Based on 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon, it has bright, minty herbs, citrus, and honeyed pineapple-like aromas and flavors as well as a medium-bodied, round, plush, beautifully textured style on the palate."

The Wine Independent - 92 Points (90-92)
"The 2023 Domaine de la Solitude Blanc races out of the glass with expressive scents of fresh grapefruit, crunchy peaches, and Bosc pears leading to hints of beeswax and sea spray. The medium-bodied palate is silky, with great intensity of orchard fruit flavors and a racy backbone, finishing with great length."

Decanter - 91 Points
"Earlier harvest to preserve acidity from this estate with gravel soils but thankfully cooler clays as well, resulting in an easy-going wine not without some warmth, but marked by ripe pear, peach, orange zest and lemon, more fruit forward than complex – and a pleasure to drink."

Wine Advocate - 90 Points (88-90)
"The Domaine de la Solitude 2023 Blanc exudes aromas of confit citron, lemon, verbena and white fruits. Medium-bodied, supple and juicy, it's perfectly balanced with a long, delicate and perfumed finish."

Vinous Media - 90 Points
"The 2023 Domaine de la Solitude Blanc has a cohesive and focused bouquet with green apple, kiwi fruit and light, pithy pear aromas that are neatly knitted together by the oak. The palate is a more textural white with a keen line of acidity, vibrant and fresh with a dab of ginger toward the finish."

Grape Blend

Composition: 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillon
This classic Pessac-Léognan white blend combines Sauvignon Blanc's vibrant aromatics and acidity with Sémillon's richness and texture.

Tasting Profile

Aroma: Expressive scents of fresh grapefruit, crunchy peaches, Bosc pears, gooseberries, guavas, sliced apples, bright minty herbs, citrus, honeyed pineapple, confit citron, lemon, verbena, white fruits, green apple, kiwi fruit, pithy pear, ripe pear, peach, orange zest, hints of beeswax and sea spray
Palate: Medium-bodied, fresh and round. Savory and creamy. Silky with great intensity of orchard fruit flavors. Round, plush, beautifully textured style. Supple and juicy, perfectly balanced. More textural white with keen line of acidity, vibrant and fresh. Good energy with nice phenolics and density
Finish: Textured, long finish with a saline twist at the end. Great length. Long, delicate and perfumed finish. Dab of ginger toward the finish

Pessac-Léognan Terroir

From an estate with gravel soils and cooler clays, this wine benefits from the unique terroir of Pessac-Léognan. Earlier harvest preserves acidity, resulting in an easy-going wine marked by freshness and balance. The combination of gravel and clay soils provides both drainage and moisture retention, creating ideal conditions for producing exceptional white Bordeaux.

Winemaking Excellence

The grapes are carefully selected and the wine is neatly knitted together by oak aging, which adds texture and complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The winemaking approach preserves the natural acidity and vibrant character of the grapes while developing the wine's textural qualities and depth.

Aging Potential

Drink Window: Drink now or hold
This wine offers both immediate pleasure and aging potential. It's a pleasure to drink now with its fruit-forward character, yet has the structure and balance to develop further complexity with cellaring.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This versatile white Bordeaux pairs beautifully with:

• Seafood and shellfish
• Grilled fish
• Poultry and white meats
• Creamy cheeses
• Salads with citrus vinaigrette
• Asian cuisine
• Light pasta dishes
• Oysters and raw bar

Outstanding White Bordeaux

The 2023 Domaine de La Solitude Blanc will certainly be outstanding, representing exceptional value in white Pessac-Léognan. With its cohesive and focused bouquet, racy backbone, and perfectly balanced palate, this wine showcases why Pessac-Léognan is one of Bordeaux's premier appellations for white wine. The combination of critical acclaim, classic blend, and distinctive terroir makes this a must-have for white Bordeaux enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Domaine de La Solitude Pessac-Leognan Blanc 2023 750ml