Pierre Gaillard Saint-Joseph Blanc 2019

Pierre Gaillard's white Saint-Joseph is pure Roussanne, from 2.75 hectares of granitic sand at Malleval and Chavanay.

Saint-Joseph runs some fifty kilometres along the right bank of the Rhône opposite Hermitage, and white wine is a small part of it, permitted from Marsanne, Roussanne or a blend of the two; Gaillard has planted only Roussanne. He bought his first parcel in 1981, a cleared and replanted plot that became the Clos de Cuminaille, formally established the business in 1986 and was among the growers who brought the northern Rhône's abandoned terraces back into use. His children Jeanne, Elise and Pierre-Antoine are now involved across the family's several properties. The white vines are over thirty years old, planted at 6,000 to the hectare on south-east-facing tops and cropped at around 40 hectolitres. After gentle pressing and settling the wine ferments in barrel at 16 to 18°C, goes through malolactic there and spends nine months on lees with stirring, in no new wood.

Drink over the next four or five years. Serve at 10-12°C with river fish, chicken in a cream sauce or a soft washed-rind cheese.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.