Xavier Gerard's wines are one of our most exciting finds in the past few years.

Last November, we offered the 2014 St. Joseph Le Blanchard. We found the wine's bright, complex aromatics and lifted elegance incredibly compelling.

Today, we turn to the 2016 St. Joseph Le Blanchard. The 2014 may be more expressive today, but the 2016 is truly something to behold. It's more concentrated and longer.

Xavier Gerard is a young grower who took over his family's small domaine in earnest in 2012 and in no time has turned out incredibly elegant and traditionally made Syrahs and Viogniers. The majority of Gerard's holdings are in Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu. His St. Joseph comes from Le Blanchard, a vineyard just south of Condrieu. In a good vintage he makes a mere 2,000 bottles of the St. Joseph.

Le Blanchard is a fascinating expression of St. Joseph. It possesses an unusual finesse, agility and perfume - elements that it shares with Cote-Rotie.

The 2016 Le Blanchard is simply packed with an emphatic dark minerality. Overall, the wine has a beautifully clear and nuanced presentation of dark fruits, herbs, flowers, spice and a tinge of gaminess. It's energetic and penetrating.

Gerard was introduced to his importer, none other than Neal Rosenthal, by the great Côte-Rôtie classicist Bernard Levet. Gerard's are a great addition to the Northern Rhône wines available in the U.S. As people like Gonon, Juge and Allemand have enjoyed an enormous amount of fame, prices for top examples of the region's wines have increased swiftly. Thankfully, in this context, it's easy to look upon Gerard's St. Joseph as a serious bargain.

Our 2014 Le Blanchard offer sold out quick and the allocations were brutal. I'm expecting something similar for the 2016. Word is getting out that this will be an important vintage for people who love classically styled vintages (think of 2010 and 2013). We suggest getting your orders in early.

To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Joe Salamone

Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits

2016 Gerard St-Joseph Le Blanchard

Special Email Bottle Price: $35.95

Special Email 3-Pack Price: $101.85 ($33.95/btl)