Monier Perréol, Marsanne, Saint-Joseph Blanc, Northern Rhône, France 2020

100% Marsanne

The Monier Perréol estate creates real gems still unknown to the general public and even to some lovers of Rhône Valley wines. This St-Joseph Blanc is savory and mineral-driven. The grapes, from 30-35 year old vines in granite soil, are pressed and then fermented in stainless steel. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged in stainless steel tanks for 4-12 months.

Jean-Pierre Monier is as happy and as grateful a vigneron as one finds. He is the third generation of his family to be farming in Brunieux, a lieu-dit in the hills above the village of St-Désirat in the Northern Rhône appellation of Saint-Joseph. Like his forefathers, wine is only part of his farm’s overall production: apricot orchards complement the vineyards, and everything is farmed biodynamically, for which Jean-Pierre earned certification in 2006.

Starting with the 2008 vintage, Jean-Pierre entered into a working relationship with Philippe Perréol to combine their resources in order to meet the increasing market demand. Perréol works his vines just like Monier. They currently have three labels, depending on vineyard origin and legal reporting requirements: Domaine Monier, Domaine Perréol, and Domaine Monier-Perréol.

Certified organic and biodynamic.