2017 Clos Saint Joseph, Cotes de Provence, Villars-sur-Var, Blanc de Blancs

Located in the isolated pre-Alpine enclave of Villars-sur-Var, Clos Saint Joseph operates under the Côtes de Provence AOC but possesses a microclimate defined by high altitude and cooling mountain currents rather than coastal heat. Roch Sassi farms these five hectares using organic and biodynamic principles, favoring low-intervention practices that allow the rocky limestone and marl soils to dictate the wine's fundamental character. The 2017 Blanc de Blancs—a blend of Rolle, Ugni Blanc, Sémillon, and Clairette—was fermented with indigenous yeasts across a mix of barriques, demi-muids, and cement cuves, then aged for six months. This vintage’s structural profile is marked by the tension and salinity inherent to this unique terroir, resulting in a dense, texturally full mid-palate that remains balanced by bright, precise acidity. The finished wine is bottled without fining and with minimal filtration, ensuring the raw material’s integrity remains the focal point.