2020 Saint Joseph Blanc
Lionel Faury
With each passing vintage, we are more impressed with Lionel Faury’s wines from the slopes of Chavanay, in the heart of the northern Rhône. In a region dominated by a few large players from a commercial standpoint and by a select handful of “cult” producers in the eyes of the greater public, it is refreshing to see and taste the honesty and humility with which Lionel goes about his craft.
These words could also be used to describe Lionel’s wines, elegant beauties that exhibit delicacy and nuance in both colors. These are not wines designed to win blind tastings or score high points; rather, they are delightful expressions of terroir characterized by graceful structures and seductive floral aromatics.
The 2020 is roughly 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, and mostly aged in tank to preserve as much freshness and fruit as possible. The little bit of wine that was aged in oak will give you a delightful glimmer of opulence. The result is very delicate, round, and elegant, showcasing classic notes of peachy stone fruit. It is yet another release from this under-the-radar young talent that is well worth your table—you will be awed by the absolute deliciousness of Lionel’s white.
—Tom Wolf
| Wine Type: | white |
| Vintage: | 2020 |
| Bottle Size: | 750mL |
| Blend: | 60% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne |
| Appellation: | Saint Joseph |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Northern Rhône |
| Producer: | Lionel Faury |
| Winemaker: | Lionel Faury |
| Vineyard: | Planted between 1979 and 1998, 1.5 ha |
| Soil: | Granite |
| Aging: | Ages for 10 months on lees, 30% in 1 to 5 year-old barrels, 70% in stainless steel |
| Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
| Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Condrieu “Chéry”
France | Northern Rhône
A top site in Condrieu interpreted by one of the appellation’s masters—simply put, one of the greatest expressions of the Viognier grape on earth.
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Terre Blanche”
France | Northern Rhône
Elegant blue and black fruit abound, but here it mingles with a hint of sanguinity and some dusty tannin.
2023 Saint Joseph Blanc “Les Ribaudes”
France | Northern Rhône
Most of this blanc was aged in tank to preserve freshness, but the little bit that was aged in oak provides a glimmer of opulence.
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from vines planted between 1937 and 1976, this cuvée showcases impressive depth and soul.
2023 Crozes-Hermitage Rouge
France | Northern Rhône
This small parcel has a fruit-forward, approachable style, yet with intense spice and licorice in there as well, perhaps from the deep-rooted old Syrah vines.
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les 3 Brunes”
France | Northern Rhône
Irresistible notes of black olive, succulent black cherries, and spices
2023 Condrieu
France | Northern Rhône
André Perret crafts white wines of mesmerizing texture, density, and vibrant flavors of stone fruit, jasmine, tropical fruit, orange zest, and so much more.
2023 Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah “l’Art Zélé”
France | Northern Rhône
The depth, complexity, and crushed-stone minerality of a great Côte-Rôtie, all while maintaining inviting youthful fruit.
2023 Condrieu
France | Northern Rhône
I would say that Faury does not make Viognier, but rather one hell of a Condrieu, replete with huge apricot and peach aromas and a fresh, regal palate.
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
France | Northern Rhône
Golden, luscious aroma and flavor, a delicious nectar infused with honeysuckle that invites you in at first sniff for a leisurely dip.
About The Producer
Lionel Faury
Along the steep, narrow valley that traces the northern Rhône, the appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Saint-Joseph take their place among the great wines of France, and Domaine Faury is one of the region’s most artisanal producers. When Philippe Faury took over the domaine in 1979, the family was selling wine, peaches and cherries, and the bulk of their clientele was local. Over the years, Philippe increased their holdings to over 11 hectares and began to sell internationally. He shared his savoir faire with his son, Lionel. Since 2006, Lionel has taken over the reins, though father and son still work side by side. Every method they use encourages the grape towards greatness with the ultimate respect for its fragility.
More from Northern Rhône or France
2022 Condrieu “Chéry”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Habrard”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les Roses”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2020 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2020 Saint-Joseph Rouge
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint Joseph Blanc “Les Ribaudes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Condrieu
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Le Vin des Amis
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2022 Condrieu “Chéry”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Habrard”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les Roses”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2020 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2020 Saint-Joseph Rouge
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint Joseph Blanc “Les Ribaudes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Condrieu
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Le Vin des Amis
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
Where the newsletter started
Where the newsletter started
Every three or four months I would send my clients a cheaply made list of my inventory, but it began to dawn on me that business did not pick up afterwards. It occurred to me that my clientele might not know what Château Grillet is, either. One month in 1974 I had an especially esoteric collection of wines arriving, so I decided to put a short explanation about each wine into my price list, to try and let my clients know what to expect when they uncorked a bottle. The day after I mailed that brochure, people showed up at the shop, and that is how these little propaganda pieces for fine wine were born.—Kermit Lynch