A bit more mineral than the Crozes-Hermitage, the Marsanne-dominant 2019 Saint-Joseph Blanc comes exclusively from the southern portion of the appellation, around Sarras and Tournon. Scents of crushed stone and pencil shavings (half was matured in tank, one-fourth in new oak and one-fourth in second-fill oak) accent notes of underripe peach and citrus on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate is crisp, linear and long on the finish.

The 2018 Saint-Joseph Blanc represents a smart buy in the context of Guigal's lineup. A blend of 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne, all drawn from granitic soils at the southern end of the appellation, it's pencilly and restrained on the nose, with notes of pineapple and citrus. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's round and fleshy, with a long, silky finish. Sexy stuff.

Sourced from only the southern (granitic) portion of the appellation, the 2017 Saint-Joseph Blanc is medium to full-bodied, with intense, rich flavors of melon and pear focused by citrus notes, hints of pencil shavings and a slightly cool, austere notion of crushed stones that's especially important in elongating the finish. No, it's not quite as good as the Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph bottling, but it's a high-quality Rh?ne white at a realistic price.

The 2016 Saint Joseph Blanc is 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne, half of which was aged in barriques and half in stainless steel. Toasted marshmallow aromas signal the use of some new oak, while the palate is plump and rounded, with just enough citrus for balance. Like the other entry-level whites here, it should be consumed in its youth.