Domaine Jolivet, Marsanne & Roussanne "Clef de Sol" Saint-Joseph, Northern Rhône, France 2024

95% Marsanne, 5% Roussane

Once an ignored afterthought of the region, Saint-Joseph blanc now rivals the greatest of the local reds (while still trailing far behind in quantity, sadly). This perfect mix of acidity and unctuous texture gives persistent floral notes with a long almond finish.

Vinifed in barrel. Aged for 12 months in 228L oak barrels, 10% of which are new.

Young Bastien Jolivet works his family’s vineyards in the hamlet of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. Saint-Joseph fans will know this as prime country, just north of the birthplace of the appellation in Mauves.

“Clef de Sol” is a play on words with both the soil, sol, and a treble clef which denotes the beginning of a musical score. This cuvée was the first they bottled when founding the domaine in 2014.