2020 Chapoutier St Joseph les Granits Blanc

Marsanne - 750ML
Reg: $99.94
$79.94
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REVIEWS

JD 97 DC 94 WS 94 WA 93
JD 97

jebdunnuck.com, February 2022

Quite possibly the finest white in the appellation, the 2020 Saint Joseph Les Granits Blanc is all Marsanne from what I would consider the best terroir in the appellation, the south-facing slopes of the Saint Joseph...
DC 94

Decanter, June 2021

A relatively brisk and fresh style of Les Granits this year, well balanced, with an upright mineral spine. The acidity is spot-on, giving the wine edge and length. Oak is well judged, and doesn't occlude the fruit. A...
WS 94

Wine Spectator, December 2023

A decadent, big-boned white, with mineral intensity to match its weight, this is gorgeous. Shows white tea tannins that stitch together generous apricot, yellow apple and persimmon flavors. Reveals a tug of warm earth on...
WA 93

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

The 2020 Saint-Joseph Les Granits Blanc is again one of the top white wines from the appellation. Sourced from the lieu-dit Saint-Joseph, it's barrel fermented and aged, yet the oak is understated. The wine offers up...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type White
Varietal Marsanne
Country France
Region Rhone
Sub-region Northern Rhone
Appellation St Joseph
Vintage 2020
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 14.5%
Closure Cork

Chapoutier is one of the oldest wine producers in the Rhone Valley with a history dating back to 1808. A distant ancestor, Polydor Chapoutier, was the first to buy vines here, shifting from being a simple grape grower to making and trading his own wine. For the last two hundred years, the estate has been producing some of the greatest wines in the Rhone Valley. Today, the range also includes wines from some Roussillon appellations as well as projects in Portugal and Australia.

Under Michel Chapoutier’s leadership, quality improved and Chapoutier gained international recognition. The massive negociant and winery produces single-vineyard expressions and classic wines from a range of appellations in the north and south of the valley.

They have adopted biodynamic farming techniques and have included Braille markings on their labels since 1996. This was done from a desire to reach out to and include lovers of good wines with sight-impairments, and as a tribute to Maurice Monier of La Sizeranne, a member of the family that previously owned the vines of the same name and who invented the first abbreviated version of Braille.

Les Granits Blanc is made from a selection of the oldest Marsanne vines on the estate’s best Saint Joseph soils. It has a golden yellow color, and on the nose is mineral with floral overtones of honeysuckle and lily in its youth, Tabasco, wax, and honey. Well-balanced, this is a very harmonious wine with subtle spices developing into honey with ageing. Depending on the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years or from 50 to 75 years.

The 2020 Chapoutier St Joseph les Granits Blanc is a stunning white wine that showcases the unique character of the Marsanne grape. With its pale straw color and elegant label, this wine exudes sophistication and refinement.

On the nose, the aroma is captivating, with hints of toasted grain, pear, melon, and citrus. There is a subtle oak influence, but it is tastefully understated, allowing the fruit to shine through. It is a complex and inviting bouquet that promises a memorable tasting experience.

The palate does not disappoint. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is plump and round, with a perfect balance between richness and freshness. The acidity is spot-on, giving the wine a vibrant edge and impressive length. The granite terroir truly comes through in the mouthfeel, which is granular and slightly serrated, adding a unique textural element.

The 2020 Chapoutier St Joseph les Granits Blanc has received high praise from critics. Decanter awarded it an impressive score of 94, describing it as a "relatively brisk and fresh style" with a good sense of intensity. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave it a score of 93, hailing it as one of the top white wines from the appellation. Jeb Dunnuck, on the other hand, was even more enthusiastic, rating it 97 and declaring it "quite possibly the finest white in the appellation."

This is a wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for further development. Whether you choose to savor it in its youth or allow it to evolve over the next decade or more, the 2020 Chapoutier St Joseph les Granits Blanc is sure to impress with its elegance, complexity, and sheer quality.