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2000 Domaine Bernard Gripa St. Joseph Cuvee Le Berceau #117263123

750ml

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Fabrice Gripa in the vineyard

About Domaine Bernard Gripa

Nestled in the little village of Mauves on the Western bank of the Rhône, flanked by Vienne to the North and Valence to the South, Domaine Bernard Gripa is a beacon of tradition and exquisite craftsmanship. Guided by Fabrice Gripa and his father, Bernard, the Gripa family upholds multigenerational winemaking traditions on their steep, terraced vineyards facing majestic mountain slopes.

The Gripas own sixteen hectares of vineyard land, an unusual half-and-half split between red and white wines, all maintained through arduous hand labor due to the challenging terrain. Moreover, these vineyards are managed through strict organic agricultural methods. The vines, averaging 65 years of age and some surpassing 80 years, flourish on diverse soils - complex granite for Saint Joseph and clay and limestone for Saint Péray.

The saint-Péray appellation covers 3.5 hectares of the Gripa's land, a rare white wine-producing area amidst red wine-producing neighbors. From these vineyards, Marsanne and Roussanne are cultivated to create two cuvées of splendid still white wine. On the other hand, Saint Joseph's vineyards, where most of the Domaine is planted, boast of several cuvées celebrating different terroirs.

In the Gripa winemaking tradition, French oak barrels of various sizes and ages are used for maturation, easing the natural acid and tannic complexity. Two exceptional cuvées of Saint Joseph, red and white, are known as Berceau, derived from the oldest vineyards. These wines have incredible aging potential, up to 15 years, a mark of the finest French wines.

Balance in their wines is essential for Gripa, especially with whites which can easily become over-oaked. Fabrice believes in a lower sulfur approach and perfect harmony with oak élevage, creating a distinguished freshness in their wines. The soils play a crucial role in the distinction between St. Péray and St. Joseph, with St. Péray wines always having an extra lick of acidity.

Meanwhile, reds, including the St. Joseph Rouge and the complex, full-bodied Berceau Rouge, are grown on terraced hillsides of Mauves and Tournon. Fabrice prefers these younger, around five years old, as they become fragrant, mineral, and precise after a slight initial tightness.

Overall, Domaine Bernard Gripa stands out for their dedication to tradition, thoughtful winemaking, and the meticulous balance they achieve in their wines.

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