The more Roussanne-dominated 2022 Saint Joseph Circa Blanc (60/40 Roussanne and Marsanne) is a slight step up over the Crozes, offering a touch more purity and precision. White flowers, honeyed minerality, brioche, and green almond notes as well as a beautiful core of quince and stone fruits lead to a beautifully balanced, medium-bodied, and textured white that has that classic Northern Rhône mix of richness and precision. It's not far off the style of the Hermitage Blanche, yet without the same level of richness. It's a terrific white I'd be happy to drink any time over the coming 4-5 years, and it will keep even longer if need be. Drink: 2024-2029.
Product Description:
Going back to 1481, when the first Jean-Louis Chave was gifted a vineyard in St Joseph by the nobleman Farconnet, 25 generations have farmed some of the best parcels in the Northern Rhône. Though now known as perhaps the best producer of Hermitage (and certainly among the best blenders in the world), the family only expanded to this famous hill during the mid-1800s wave of phylloxera that decimated Europe's vineyards. Since the 1990s, Jean-Louis Chave has offered a second label known as 'J.L. Chave Sélection' that provides a glimpse of the reason for the estate's fame at a fraction of the price. Many of these wines are from declassified estate wine and long term farming contracts, and are vinified in the domaine's primary cellar in Mauves.
