Winemaker Notes
Saint-Joseph ‘Les Granilities’ epitomizes the authentic character of Rhône Valley Marsanne. Strong yellow with bright green highlights. The nose is fresh, with delicate notes of white flowers and white-fleshed fruit (peaches, pears). Delicious aromatic notes are underscored by lovely, smooth oakiness.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Saint Joseph Les Granilites Blanc has lots of classic Marsanne quince and honeyed stone fruit notes as well as medium-bodied richness and depth on the palate. A mix of terroirs, it’s a classic expression of the variety that should drink nicely for at least 4-5 years, and I certainly wouldn’t bet against it evolving longer.
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Wine Spectator
Delicious, rich and well-balanced, with equal parts ripe, flattering fruit and mineral intensity. Shows melon and apricot flavors that are plush and open, with details of ground ginger, heather and dried green herbs. Vibrant through the well-meshed finish, with a kiss of shortbread. Drink now through 2026. 68 cases imported.
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James Suckling
Quite fragrant nose for a white Rhone, with a range of citrus aromas, plus positive touches of smoke and flint. Medium-bodied with nice tension on the mid-palate between retrained richness and mineral acidity. Silky finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
One of the star whites of the Rhône Valley and ubiquitous throughout southern France, historically vignerons have favored Marsanne for its hardy and productive vines. It can make a fruity and delicious single varietal wine as well as a serious, full-bodied version with amazing aging potential. The best examples of Marsanne come from the northern Rhone appellations where it is also blended with Roussanne. Sommelier Secret—Some of the oldest Marsanne vines in the entire world exist not in France but in Australia, in the Victoria region. Settlers planted it in the mid to late 1800s, calling it “white Hermitage.”
Spanning the longest stretch of river in the northern Rhône—from Condrieu in the north, to Cornas in the south—the heart of St.-Joseph lies directly across the Rhône River from Hermitage. While its soils are basically the same as Hermitage: granite, supplemented by sand and gravel, its east facing slope receives less sunlight than Hermitage, which causes less overall berry ripening on its Syrah vines. However, some of the best of them can rival any fine expression of Hermitage, Cote-Rotie or Cornas with concentrated black fruits, dark spices, crushed rock and violets. A general advantage of the region is that its Syrahs typically don’t need as much time in the bottle compared to a Cote-Rotie or Hermitage and are much easier on the bank account!
A textbook St.-Joseph red is firm with a core of minerality that is enhanced by savory and peppery qualities. Aromas and flavors of smoke, olives, herbs, and violets are common; its wines are dense in red and black fruit.
St.-Joseph is also a source of fine northern Rhône white wine. Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne grow well here and can be blended or made into single varietal wines. St.-Joseph whites are full and silky with citrus, pear and pineapple flavors and a rich bouquet reminiscent of honeysuckle, toasted nuts, spice and caramel.