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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 Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah “Les Hautes Ribaudes”
France | Northern Rhône
The perfect lively, uncomplicated Syrah you’ll want to have over and over again.

2020 Saint Joseph Rouge “Vieilles Vignes”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from vines planted between 1937 and 1976, this cuvée showcases impressive depth and soul.

2020 Saint-Joseph Blanc
France | Northern Rhône
Like eating lemon curd at a party that Renoir might have painted—think something like Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette.

2020 Côte-Rôtie
France | Northern Rhône
Irresistible notes of black olive, succulent black cherries, and spices

2020 Saint Joseph Rouge
France | Northern Rhône
This beauty is brimming and bursting with deep dark flavors of black olive, blackberry and a hint of white pepper.

2020 Côte Rôtie “Fongeant”
France | Northern Rhône
This cuvée is sourced exclusively from the Fongeant lieu-dit, which sits right on the border of the Côte Blonde and Côte Brune, and is renowned for sharing the best of both: tannins and structure from the Brune side, with silky, floral elegance provided by the Blonde.

2018 Côte Rôtie “La Boisselée”
France | Northern Rhône
This is everything I love in a great northern Rhône Syrah. Aromas of violet and smoke are intensified with the luxuriously full and stony finish.

2020 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.

2020 Côte-Rôtie “Emporium”
France | Northern Rhône
The “Emporium” is sourced exclusively from the Fourvier lieu-dit and sees about a year more in demi-muid and barrel than his standard Côte-Rôtie.

2020 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.
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
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2020 Côte Rôtie “Fongeant”
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2020 Crozes Hermitage “Goutay”
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2020 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
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2018 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
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2019 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
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2020 Saint-Joseph Blanc
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2019 Saint-Joseph Rouge
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2020 Crozes Hermitage “Gervans”
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2020 Saint Joseph Rouge
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2020 Côte Rôtie “Fongeant”
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2020 Crozes Hermitage “Goutay”
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2020 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
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2020 Côte-Rôtie
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2018 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2019 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2020 Saint-Joseph Blanc
Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2019 Saint-Joseph Rouge
Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2020 Crozes Hermitage “Gervans”
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2019 Condrieu “Chéry”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2018 Côte Rôtie “La Boisselée”
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.