J.L. Chave Selections 'Circa' Saint-Joseph AOC Blanc 2017

Jean-Louis Chave is one of the most renowned winemakers in the Rhône, having taken over his family’s Domaine JL Chave in 1993. A few years later, he began reclaiming abandoned vineyards in Saint-Joseph and bottling them under the Jean-Louis Chanve Selection label. According to the importer, Jean-Louis devotes just as much time to the wines under his selection than the domaine (perhaps even more!) and their quality is a testament to his belief in the region and appellations he is highlighting. The ‘Circa’ is a blend of old vine rousanne planted in grantitic slopes, and is the only white he makes that comes from those soils. It is bold, full, and bone dry with tons of minerality and complexity. It shows ripe stone and tropical fruit with streaks of lemony citrus and a hint of white pepper, and a finish that seems to go on forever. Organically grown, vegan.