Elegance & Restraint: The 2023 Vintage
Welcome to the 2023 Rhône Valley! With the arrival of a small allocation of of Saint-Joseph Reds & Whites, alongside the Saint-Péray Whites from this gorgeous vintage I am excited to provide you Bernard Gripa's full range today.
As we step back a couple of years you find in Northern Rhône the 2023 vintage was one that tested the resilience of all winemakers with a 16 day heatwave and torrential downpour within the space of 2 months. The result? Nicolas Greinacher from Vinous explains it best when stating: "despite extreme weather conditions in August and September, the wines generally do not reflect those extremes in the glass. Instead, they present as surprisingly fresh, calm and balanced, with sufficiently ripe fruit and, in the case of reds, gentle tannins."
Diving deeper into the specifics of Bernard Gripa's terroir in Saint-Joseph, this appellation generally delivered good results in 2023. "Elegance and restraint are hallmarks here" as expressed by both the reds and whites. Bernard's Berceau cuvees especially, as these old vines draw upon such a large number of past vintages to shape the growing style of the vines that each vintage adds its own touch.
For his Saint-Péray pairing, these fared well in 2023, with "top producers such as Domaine Bernard Gripa able to capture vivid expressions of both Marsanne and Roussanne, although Marsanne excelled a bit more." Both Les Figuiers and Les Pins are charming and enveloping in nature, perfect for enjoying across any season.
Please enjoy the selection of 2023 Bernard Gripa below, alongside a few last bottles of 2021.
Tasting Notes
BERNARD GRIPA - ST JOSEPH WHITE
2021
An expressive nose of flowers, beeswax, almonds, milk caramel and anise. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity. Great volume and poise on the palate with an array of juicy fruit coating the mouth, and a vibrant, zesty finish. Drink or hold. 93 points, James Suckling.
2023
The 2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc comes in a t a mere 13% alcohol, unwinding with vivid lemon flesh, jasmine, pear and honeysuckle aromas. Juicy and refreshing, the delicate 2023 has lively energy and winds to a close with good length on the sapid finish. 91 points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous.
BERNARD GRIPA - ST JOSEPH "BERCEAU" WHITE 2023
Vivid honeysuckle, chamomile, lemon flesh, cedar and a slice of pear come alive in the sapid 2023 Saint-Joseph Le Berceau, a worthy follow-up to the tasty 2022 I tasted last year. Concentrated, rich and complex, the refreshing 2023 dazzles with lovely intensity, checking out with lively energy on the elegant finish. 92 points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous.
BERNARD GRIPA - ST JOSEPH RED 2023
Crafted from 15 different plots with three main lieux-dits: Saint-Joseph and Peygros in the commune of Tournon and Le Paradis in Mauves, the 2022 Saint-Joseph from Bernard Gripa is a real success. It unfurls in the glass with aromas of mulberries, dark berries, cassis, spices and flowers mingled with leafy notes. Medium to full-bodied, dense and layered, it’s structured with a fleshy core of fruit and muscular tannins, concluding with a long, spicy, vibrant and youthful finish. Matured in a combination of used barrels and fermented with 20% whole bunches. 93+ points - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate.
BERNARD GRIPA - ST JOSEPH RED "BERCEAU" 2023
More complex and deeper than the classic bottling, the 2022 Saint-Joseph Le Berceau reveals a superb, nicely detailed bouquet of mulberries, cassis, flowers and iris mingled with delicate spicy notes. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it’s harmonious and seamless with a lovely fleshy core of fruit and velvety tannins, culminating in a long, ethereal, perfumed finish. Crafted from vines planted on the lieu-dit Saint-Joseph in the south/southeast part, it was fermented with 20% whole bunches. There is captivating precision here. 94 points, Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate. 2022 review.
BERNARD GRIPA - ST JOSEPH "PARADY" 2022
Glass-staining purple. Smoke and mineral-tinged cherry-cola and blackberry aromas are complemented by suggestions of pipe tobacco, violet and cracked pepper. Chewy and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated dark berry, cherry compote and floral pastille flavours that are braced by a core of juicy acidity. The spicy note comes back on an impressively long, focused finish that shows fine clarity and youthfully solid tannins. 93-95 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.
BERNARD GRIPA - ST PERAY "LES FIGUIERS"
2021
A hint of stuck match appears on the nose of the Saint Peray Les Figuiers, along with notes of pear and citrus. A barrel-fermented 60-40 blend of Roussanne and Marsanne, it’s medium-bodied, streamlined and silky textured, with bright, lime-like flavors on the long finish. Still youthfully tight, this seems like it could drink well for more than 2-3 years. 91 points -Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate.
2023
The 2023 Saint-Péray Les Figuiers is a solid bottle, revealing an exotic, dense bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, flowers, white pear, lemon peel and spices intertwined with delicate menthol notes. Medium to full-bodied, round and sappy, it’s enrobing and harmonious with bright acids and a long, delicate, fruity finish. 93+ points, Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate.
BERNARD GRIPA - ST PERAY "LES PINS"
2021
A delicate and aromatic Saint-Peray with notes of apples, flowers and some toasted bread. Medium body with fresh acidity. Mellow and well-rounded with a fresh finish. Drink now. 91 points, James Suckling.
2023
The 2023 Saint-Péray Les Pins reveals a disarming purity of fruit, evoking aromas of pear, almonds, spring blossoms and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, harmonious and round, it’s charming and enveloping with bright acids and a lively, gourmand finish. 92 points, Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate.