2018 St Joseph Les Oliviers Blanc
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Tasting notes
Even better, the shockingly good 2018 Saint Joseph Les Oliviers Blanc shows a touch more purity and freshness, and it’s more in the style of the 2020 than the 2018. Stone fruits, quince, honeysuckle, and buttery nuances give way to a pure, medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced white that’s just about as good as it gets from the appellation. It’s gorgeous and should be snatched up by savvy readers. It should drink well for over a decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Brilliant straw-yellow. Fresh, deep-pitched tropical and pit fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of honey and lemon zest. Ripe and fleshy on the palate, showing sharp definition to the energetic peach, pineapple and tangerine flavors. Finishes silky, focused and very long, displaying repeating peachiness and building mineral and floral qualities. Raised in oak demi-muids , all of them neutral.
The 2018 Saint Joseph les Oliviers Blanc is approximately 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, all barrel fermented and aged almost entirely in used oak (there is one new demi-muid in the mix for the 2018). It's impressively rich and honeyed, with sweet, fruity notes of grilled pineapple balanced by hints of white pepper and brighter citrus notes. Full-bodied, creamy and lush, it remains lively and fresh on the finish—a wonderful paradox that the Gonons seem able to bring out in all of their wines.
Quite rich and buttery with apricots and peaches on offer with a sweet, fleshy and ripe palate that offers good weight and achieves some freshness at the finish. Drink on release.