Jean-Baptiste Souillard Marsanne Vin de France 2018 (750ML)

This 100% Marsanne comes from vineyards near Montpellier from vines around 30 years old situated on clay-limestone soils. Indigenous yeast is used for fermentation and aging is in older oak barrels. It has an outstanding nose that's a little medicinal/herbal. There's some light viscosity on the palate with pear and tropical notes and delicate acid. A lovely wine. From the Wasserman portfolio.

• Size: 0.20 ha (0.49 ac)
• Variety: Marsanne
• Vine Age: Planted in the 1980s and 1990s
• Terroir: Near Montpellier, north-facing, clay-limestone soils, early-ripening
• Viticulture: Lutte raisonnée
• Vinification: Indigenous yeast fermentation. Aged in older oak barrels, fined or filtered if necessary.

Located in the hills above Andance, a quiet town on the right bank of the Rhône at a halfway point between Ampuis and Tain-l’Hermitage. Home base is a modest farmhouse that was purchased by Jean-Baptiste’s great grandfather in 1900.

Jean-Baptiste Souillard happens to be a nerdy, extremely serious young winemaker, who has set out to produce glorious vins de garde. His wines are like nothing else we’ve had from the Northern Rhône —at least recently. The two whites we have selected to begin with, courtesy of granite, of higher altitude, and of Jean-Baptiste’s tendency to pick just before they over-ripen, are incredibly fresh. They are floral rather than rich and honeyed. And on the palate, for these varieties and this region, they have unusual coolness and minerality. As to the reds, they are absolutely captivating. In this first vintage, though they are unmistakably Syrah, there is none of the primary violets and black fruit, nor any of the bacon. They are so much more than that. - Becky Wasserman & Co.