Quoted value
Robert Parker 96
The brilliant 2011 St.-Joseph Les Granits Blanc offers up scents of caramelized citrus, orange blossoms and honeysuckle. It is full-bodied with loads of fruit, and as of now, the telltale minerality has not yet penetrated the lavish fruit notes.
Jeb Dunuck (The Rhone Report) : 95
Lighter and fresher than the 2009, the 2010 M. Chapoutier St. Joseph Blanc Les Granits is an incredible St. Joseph Blanc. Loaded with minerality, white flowers, honeycomb, and orange peel, it stays light and graceful on the palate, with full-bodied richness that’s balanced by clean, integrated acidity and a detailed, focused finish. Building in richness with air, this knockout Blanc will have two decades or more of longevity.
Robert Parker 96
With a production of 432 cases, the 2010 St.-Joseph Les Granits Blanc may be the finest white wine made in the appellation. Aromas of tangerine oil, orange marmalade, powdered stones and subtle gun flint as well as smoke jump from the glass of this full-bodied effort. This elegant, rich, full, stunning wine is a tour de force as well as a big-time reference point for what can be achieved from the granite hillsides of St.-Joseph.
Wine Spectator - Mai 2011
Le Saint-Joseph Blanc Les Granits 2010 est étonnant, avec des notes de poire plus précises, de raisin, de figue et de pomme jaune, avec une longueur qui n'en finit pas. Il rivalisera avec les classiques 2006.
Wine Advocate # 175 Février 2008
95. The 2006 St.-Joseph Les Granits blanc again reveals slightly more acidity, but also higher levels of concentration. It is an absolutely amazing wine that would probably outperform many a grand cru white Burgundy if put in a blind tasting ? it is that stunning.
Wine Advocate # 175 Février 2008
94. The 2005 St.-Joseph Les Granits blanc displays full-blown nectarine/clementine notes, with oranges, crushed rock, flowers, and white currants. The wine is stunningly full, has good acidity, and should drink nicely for at least a decade or more.
Wine Advocate #163 (Feb 2006)
91-93 / 100
Wine Advocate #156 (Dec 2004)
94-96/100. The 2003 St.-Joseph Les Granits blanc tastes like liqueur of apricots intermixed with crushed stone, flowers, and currants. Full-bodied with an unctuous texture, but amazing freshness and vigor, it should drink well for 5-7 years or longer.
Robert PARKER
Note : 91-94 / 100
Guide Bettane et Desseauve 2005
8,5/10
Robert PARKER
Note : 92 / 100
Clives COATES (THE VINE / UK) July 2000
This has a touch of wood, and is ample and individual. Good depth. Still young. Very good plus. 2001-2004.
Robert PARKER
Note : 91 / 100
Steve TANZER (International Wine Cellar / USA) Février / Mars 2000
Arômes ultramûrs de pomme rôtie, de clou de girofle et de minéraux au nez de ce vin riche, gras et dense qui s'avère presque lourd et présente une acidité plus tendre que celle du Chante Alouette. La finale dévoile une longueur remarquable. 87-89.
Steve TANZER (International Wine Cellar / USA) Février / Mars 2000
Superripe aromas of roasted apple, clove and minerals. Rich, fat and dense; just short of topheavy. Softer acids than the Chante Alouette. Finishes with noteworthy length. 87-89.
(THE WINE SPECTATOR / USA) Septembre 2000
Like a little Condrieu. Thick and slightly off-dry, this could make a nice aperitif. Rich and ripe, with blanched almonds, peach, meringue and cookie dough ,and a honeyed finish. Drink now through 2005. 89
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) Novembre 1999
The 1998 Saint-Joseph "Les Granits" was made from extremely low yields since much of this appellation suffered spring frost damage. Totally dry, it exhibits a Grand Marnier / orange liqueur-like richness to its fruit, underlying minerality, superb purity, and a full-bodied, multilayered, concentrated personality. lt may be the greatest white wine ever produced from Saint-Joseph. Consume it over the next decade.
Note : 94 / 100
Clives COATES (THE VINE / UK) July 2000
Rounder, richer and more aromatic than the 1999. Good depth. Decent acidity. A food wine. Good intensity at the end. Very good. Now-2003.
(LE GUIDE DES VINS DES SOMMELIERS 2000 / France) Octobre 1999
Robe jaune pôle limpide aux reflets verts, disque fin et brillant. Nez agréable sur des arômes complexes de pêche, abricot et pomme, évoluant sur des notes plus marquées de bois et de vanille. Bouche fine, franche et fraîche en attaque, évoluant sur la rondeur et le gras. finale vive et harmonieuse. Vinification parfaitement réussie pour ce vin onctueux et très agréable. Un classique de la Maison Chapoutier. Servir : en bouteille à 10/12° avec une rosace de saumon et lotte sur un beurre d'orange. 16/20.
Stephen TANZER (INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR / USA) Février / Mars 1999
Goûté à la barrique. Le nez, mûr et praliné, exhale des arômes de fumé, de fleurs printanières et de miel. Ce vin, plein, riche et miellé, révèle de la concentration et de la fermeté ainsi qu’une belle finale.
Stephen TANZER (INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR / USA) February / March 1999
Tasted from barrique. Ripe, aromas of smoke, spring flowers and honey. Full, rich and honeyed ; concentrated and firm. Finishes well.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) February 1999
Cut from the same mold with slightly higher alcohol, the 1997 Saint-Joseph "Les Granits" offers an apricot / orange liqueur-like note, along with the pronounced mineral characteristic of the granitic soil ( in which this 80-year old parcel of vines is planted. What is so amazing about all of these single-vineyard wines is that they are aged in 100% new oak, but there is very little evidence of wood in the wines, a testament to their extraordinary concentration and richness. Because of low acidity, look for the 1997 to have a faster evolutionary track than the 1996 : 7-10 years.
Note : 90-93 / 100
Clives COATES (THE VINE / UK) July 2000
A good example. Clean and pure. Quite ripe and rich. Very good for the vintage. Not the greatest grip but ripe and stylish. Now-2002.
Stephen TANZER (INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR / USA) Février / Mars 1999
Le nez mêle des arômes complexes de fumé, de pêche, de coing et de truffe. Vif et dense en bouche, ce vin montre un bel équilibre du fruit et de l’acidité. Ce vin blanc plutôt puissant laisse une sensation distincte d’extrait poudreux. La finale souligne une fermeté et une longueur impressionnantes.
Stephen TANZER (INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR / USA) February / March 1999
Complex aromas of smoked peach, quince and truffle. Dense and lively in the mouth ; lovely balance of fruit and acidity. Rather powerful white wine with a distinctly dusty sensation of extract. Impressively firm, long aftertaste.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) February 1999
lt was made from incredibly tiny yields of 10-15 hectoliters per hectare. The wine reveals a remarkable liquid minerai/orange marmalade character. This intense, medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure wine should drink well for a decade.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) October 1997
Made from yields of 14-15 hectoliters per hectare, it offers a fabulous apricot liqueur-scented nose, with crushed minerals and cold steel in the background. It is a medium to full-bodied, very intense, fabulous white Saint-Joseph the likes of which I have never tasted outside the Chapoutier cellars.
Note : 93 / 100
(LA COTE DES VINS GAULT & MILLAU / France) Octobre 1997
Robe doré soutenu, nez de miel bois. En bouche, bien gras, riche, mielé, dense, saveurs complexes, structure puissante mais pas agressive, long.
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) October 1997
Made from the same 80-year old parcels of vines as the 1996, this wine is rich and full-bodied, with loads of glycerin, and a distinct minerality combined with apricot / peach like fruit. It is a gloriously dense, powerful, yet elegant white Saint-Joseph that, along with the 1996, should age 10-15 years. These two Saint-Joseph wines are reference point/breakout wines that establish a new level of quality for this appellation. Both wines are totally barrique-aged, of which one-third is new oak.
Note : 94 / 100
Robert M. PARKER Jr (THE WINE ADVOCATE / USA) October 1996
Made from an ancient 80-year old, 5-acre vineyard planted on a hillside behind Gérard Chave's house in Mauves. It is a wine of extraordinary intensity. Yields were 15 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine was vinified completely in small barrels. Its liquid mineral/apricot like aromas and flavors jump from the glass. The underlying crisp acidity provides delineation to this massive, 100 % Marsanne wine, which tastes as if some Viognier was added to the blend. Only 250 cases were produced of what is the greatest dry white wine I have ever tasted from Saint-Joseph. It should last for 15-20 years.
Clive COATES (THE VINE / England) Septembre 1996
30 % new-ish wood. 70 % cuve. Ample, gently oaky, stylish. Ripe. Long. 1997-2003.
