J.L. CHAVE SÉLECTION CIRCA SAINT-JOSEPH BLANC 2021

Long considered the king of Hermitage, Jean Louis Chave also operates Jean-Louis Chave Selections, his négociant line which sources grapes from various areas in the Rhone.

This white Saint-Joseph wine is made from pure Roussanne, from mature rootstock that hails from the walled 4-hectare 'Clos Forentin' vineyard which the Chaves acquired in 2009. Fewer than 400 cases are produced annually and it is popular on export markets, as with many Chave wines. It has lovely almond and acacia flower scents and wonderfully-textured white stone fruit palate with a long, elegant finish.

92/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2021 Vintage)
"Composed of 100% Roussanne, the 2021 Saint Joseph Circa Blanc is terrific. Offering a classic perfume of ripe pears, honeycomb, quince, and sappy flowers, it picks up a beautiful sense of minerality with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, rich, and layered, it's one heck of an impressive Northern Rhône white that's going to shine for at least 3-5 years, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it have an interesting evolution over the coming decade."