Saint-Peray
Overview
Saint-Peray is the southernmost appellation of the northern Rhone, producing still and sparkling white wines from Marsanne and Roussanne. It lies just south of Cornas on the right bank of the Rhone. The appellation is small and often overlooked compared to its more famous neighbors, but can produce whites of real finesse, particularly from mature vineyards with significant Roussanne content.
Key Producers
- Domaine Bernard Gripa — Les Figuiers (65% mature Roussanne) and Les Pins
- Domaine de Fauterie — Saint-Peray gaining depth with vine maturity
- Yves Cuilleron — Les Potiers and Lieu-dit La Biousse
Grape Varieties
- Marsanne — the dominant grape
- Roussanne — prized for adding finesse and complexity; mature Roussanne (as in Gripa’s Figuiers from 1960-62 plantings) elevates the wines significantly
Style Notes
Saint-Peray whites range from simple and fresh to wines of real finesse and ageing potential. The best examples, particularly those with significant Roussanne content and from mature vineyards, reward cellaring. Gripa’s Figuiers, with its 1960s Roussanne, achieves grace and finesse. Souillard’s discontinued Chalaboud was notable for its low pH and ageing capability.
JLL Vintage Summaries (drinkRhone.com)
- 2024: Heavy mildew losses — half the crop lost by some growers from frost, poor flowering, mildew, and even deer and birds eating grapes. What remained is “truly very beau, with a good level of malic acidity.” Wines more tense-vertical than 2023. Less wind than at Cornas, so sustained mildew pressure all season. See 2024 Rhone Vintage.
My Tastings
Sources
sources/articles/JLL/Domaine_Bernard_Gripa.txtsources/articles/JLL/Domaine_de_Fauterie.txtsources/articles/JLL/Domaine_Yves_Cuilleron.txtsources/articles/JLL/rhone_vintage_reports.json— JLL vintage reports 2022-2024