2018 St Peray Pur Blanc
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Light, shimmering yellow-gold. Highly perfumed Meyer lemon, pear nectar, iodine and tarragon qualities on the expansive, mineral-accented nose. Juicy and finely detailed on the palate, offering densely packed citrus, orchard fruit, honeysuckle and sweet butter flavors that show outstanding clarity and mineral cut. Delivers superb energy and power on the incisive, strikingly long finish, which features resonating floral and mineral notes. Raised in four year-old barriques; the vines in this plot are over 100 years old and may include some ancient, now non-permitted varieties.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Lastly, the flagship white is the 2018 Saint-Péray Pur Blanc, which is 100% Marsanne from 100-year-old vines that was brought up all in barrel. It offers a liquid rock-like minerality and salinity as well as extraordinary notes of white currants, quince, green almonds, and toasted bread. This full-bodied, powerful Saint-Péray has a stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, and a finish that won’t quit. It’s one of the greatest Saint-Pérays ever made. Enough can’t be said about the quality now coming from the domaine of Stéphane Robert. Both his reds and whites are world-class in every sense.
One of the region's best white wines, Robert's 2018 Saint Peray Pur Blanc proves that altitude isn't a necessity—the century-old Marsanne vines are located in the village of Saint Péray, at the base of the appellation. It's reticent on the nose, with delicate scents evocative of crushed stone and rainwater, and then full-bodied but fresh on the palate, with lively flavors of pear and melon. It really separates from the pack on the finish, which is long, lively and cooling-refreshing, with an almost weightless character.
100% Marsanne. Tasted blind. Grapefruit, melon and pineapple – lots of ripe fruit here, on a soft and creamy palate which finishes with typically low acid. Not a thirst-quencher, but there is enjoyable fruit ripeness. (RH)