M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Les Granits Blanc 2023

Type: White Wine      Volume: 750ml

Winery: M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Les Granits Blanc 2023

Country: France     Region: Rhone

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Ratings and Tasting Notes:

RP94+. The 2023 Saint-Joseph Les Granits Blanc is derived from vines planted on two different lieux-dits facing east: Saint-Joseph and Montagon. Revealing a lovely reduced, complex bouquet of almonds, white flowers and ripe pear, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless with a vibrant core of fruit enhanced by bright acids and a long, mouthwatering finish. Matured 10% in new barrels, 10% in stainless steel and the rest in foudres, this is a lovely, stunning bottle in the making. During my visit to Maison Chapoutier, Maxime Chapoutier eagerly showed me around his various plots on the Hermitage hillside, a tour I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s worth noting that this estate boasts one of the finest vineyard heritages on the Hermitage hill and was among the first to adopt biodynamic viticulture practices. The house is known for its dense, woody and often highly structured wines, but under Maxime’s influence, it is shifting toward the production of more delicate and elegant wines while retaining its fundamental characteristics. Despite being a proponent of “whole bunch” winemaking, Maxime is scrutinizing this method more critically now, as global warming is increasing pH levels and alcohol. Unfortunately, many of the 2022 reds lacked precision, with firm and sometimes dry structures that suggested potential microbiological concerns. The 2023s whites are perfumed and dense with bright acids in a somewhat fleshier, more extroverted style than in the past.