Much like the Saint Peray, the 2020 Saint Joseph Blanc aged half in oak and half in stainless steel and was tasted from tank prior to bottling. A blend of 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne, sourced from the north of the appellation, around Limony, it features scents of lime, melon and white paste on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is broad and has low-acid, then finishes with hints of white pepper and bitter notes.

From bottle, the 2019 Saint Joseph Blanc, a blend of 85% Marsanne and 15% Roussanne, looks a bit better than the 2020. It's in a slightly austere style, medium-bodied, with hints of crushed stone and citrus on the nose. Dusty and phenolic in feel, it comes across as a bit hard, but I would still drink it young.

From the southern part of the appellation and 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, the 2014 St Joseph Blanc is a beauty. Loaded with notions of white peach, salty minerality and white flowers, it's medium-bodied, has juicy acidity and impressive length. I love its purity of fruit and would drink bottles over the coming 2-3 years.

Comprised of 70% Marsanne and 30% Roussanne, the 2012 Saint Joseph Blanc is outstanding! Aged 10 months, on lees, in older barrels, it offers up subtle hints of vanilla and creme to go with crisp white peach, mulled pears and exotic flowers on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, rich and gaining depth and length with air, it’s a beautiful effort that should represent a superb value as well. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years. Owned by the Guigal team, with the wines made by Guy Sarton-de-Joncquey, Vidal Fleury produces a wealth of high quality releases, most of which represent fantastic values. In addition to the northern and southern Rhone releases reviewed here, readers should also look at Issue 209 for the remainder of the southern Rhone efforts.

The lighter, refreshing 2011 St.-Joseph Blanc (80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne) resembles a generic Chablis. Steely and fresh, it should be consumed early in life. As I wrote last year, the Vidal Fleury enterprise, which is in large part a negociant business owned by the Guigal family and run with considerable precision by Guy Sarton-de-Joncquey, seems to be going from strength to strength with a bevy of wines offering some of the most reasonable prices of any Rhone Valley negociant. Both Guigal and Vidal Fleury consistently produce excellent rose wines. Last year, the 2010 GSM, a Southern Rhone cuvee that is bottled early to preserve its freshness and fruit, was introduced. Vidal Fleury has also done exceptionally well with their selections from Vacqueyras. Cote Rotie has always been one of Vidal Fleury’s specialties and they have done exceptionally well in 2010 and 2011 with the Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde as well as the limited production, single vineyard offering, La Chatillonne. Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE