2017 Pierres Seches Sainte Epine blanc

I still can’t believe that he stumbled into a gem such as this: a patch of 80+ year old Roussanne/Marsanne vines, a true rarity for Sainte-Épine. Even Delas Frères makes only one or two barrels per year….Sylvain made 3 barrels in 2017, aka 75 cases, 13.5% alc, 100% whole cluster pressed. This one is going to be bottled in September, at which time I will pick up the entire parcel. I am psyched about this one and then some, as I imagine the old vine depth will render this quite subtantially compelling, like a baby Hermitage blanc…..get some!

“Limpid gold. Penetrating aromas of fresh citrus and pit fruits are accompanied by chalky mineral, ginger and jasmine flourishes. Juicy and deeply concentrated but lively in the mouth, offering intense white peach and Meyer lemon flavors that show excellent mineral drive and focus. The mineral note carries strongly through the incisive finish, which hangs on with outstanding clarity and persistence.” 93 Josh Raynolds for the 2016, not the 2017 offered here.