J.L. Chave St Joseph Blanc Circa 2019, France

The Chave family is the epitome of ‘People, Place and Time’. They have been vignerons in the Rhône valley since 1481 – an astonishing 16 generations. In recent years Jean Louis has begun the painstaking process of restoring the steep St. Joseph terraces that his family has farmed for centuries, and has slowly begun to acquire and restore the steep plots that were abandoned in the wake of pyhlloxera (today most of the AC’s production comes from the valley bottom and not the steep well exposed hillsides). This is very compelling news for lovers of Rhône wines since historically St. Joseph has been the most underrated appellation in the Northern Rhône. The vineyards for Céleste are located in Mauves on granitic slopes. This white St Joseph differs from the white Hermitage in that the soil of white Hermitage (clay and limestone) gives softness and suppleness to the wine whereas the granite soil expresses a wonderful minerality which perfectly accompanies food and gives an additional sense of vivacity. Vinification: Fermentation 100% in barrel. Aged in barriques for 14 months.