DOMAINE BERNARD GRIPA - SAINT-PERAY LES FIGUIERS BLANC 2016 750ml (13.5% abv)

perfectly matured rare white from the Northern Rhone

this is the Domaine's flagship cuvée, and ... a reference wine for an entire appellation. Vintage after vintage, this Saint-Péray Les Figuiers delivers ... between roundness, density of substance (which Roussanne brings in particular) and mineral tension. A very beautiful wine for laying down ...

The vines in the Putiers sector benefit from a rare very calcareous soil in this area, which gives the wine this beautiful balance between depth and tension.

pear, yellow stone fruits (apricot), mandarin zest, infused white flowers (lime blossom, acacia), Bourbon vanilla and beautiful notes of toasted hazelnut, Unlike many neighboring Saint-Josephs, this Saint-Péray seduces with its delicacy on the palate finesse than opulence, the substance is very pure, almost crystalline, tense by the minerality of the soil.

The wine is slender and plays its part with a lot of class. Superb balance, salivating salinity on the finish: everything is in place and promises a very good evolution over 8 or 10 years. A very high-flying Saint-Péray

95 pts J. Dunnuck

"From the older vines of the estate in St Peray, the tiny production 2016 Saint-Peray Les Figuiers knocks it out of the park with it vibrant citrus blossom, mint, tangerine and mineral-laced aromas and flavors. Pure, clean, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated, it's a great white from this appellation that's undoubtedly on the upswing. Don't miss it..."

Robert Parker loves it too (92 pts):

"One of the standouts in my Saint Peray blind tasting was the 2016 Saint Peray Les Figuiers from Gripa. This plump, medium to full-bodied blend of 60% Roussanne and 40% Marsanne starts with aromas of pineapple and cream, then offers a succulent mouthfeel framed by oak spice and a long, mouthwatering finish. It should be capable of aging..."

region: Northern Rhone, France

varietal: 60% Roussanne and 40% Marsanne,

style: white

farming/cellar: aged all in French oak barrels on the lees for 12 months (20% new wood).

pairing: spicy Thai, absolutely perfect with a fennel sea bass, and, later, with a morel risotto or a roasted monkfish with smoked bacon, crab cakes, pork chops with mustard and apples