Domaine Bernard Gripa : Le Berceau 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for Le Berceau 2021 from Domaine Bernard Gripa

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance features a white color with brilliant highlights.

Nose

Powerful and complex, the nose unveils aromas of citrus and beeswax, accompanied by subtle herbaceous and mineral notes characteristic of Marsanne grown on granite.

Palate

Elegant yet intense, the palate reveals touches of hazelnut and a marked salinity that extend into a long and persistent finish.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine pairs perfectly with delicate fish, seafood, poultry in sauce, and matured goat cheeses.

Service and storage

It is advisable to open Le Berceau 2021 several hours before serving to allow its full aromatic blossoming. This wine can be enjoyed now but will gain complexity over time, developing savory and herbaceous notes after 3 to 5 years of cellaring.

An exceptional white Saint-Joseph from century-old vines

The estate

Domaine Bernard Gripa was created in 1974 when Bernard Gripa began bottling and selling his wines. Located in the village of Mauves in the heart of the Northern Rhône Valley, the estate is today managed by Fabrice Gripa, who perpetuates a family legacy dating back to 1670. Spanning approximately 17 hectares distributed between the Saint-Joseph and Saint-Péray appellations, the property stands out for its unique commitment to producing white and red wines in equal parts, a rarity in this Syrah-dominated region. The estate practices entirely organic viticulture on steep terraced plots worked exclusively by hand, and cultivates vines with an average age of 65 years, with some exceeding a century of existence.

The vineyard

Le Berceau 2021 white comes from a one-hectare plot located in the Saint-Joseph appellation, planted with Marsanne vines, some of which date back to the 1920s, with an average age of 63 years. These exceptionally old vines are rooted in the granitic soils characteristic of Mauves, derived from the famous Tournon granite formed 600 million years ago. The steep terraces that host these vines require entirely manual labor, as no mechanization is possible on these dizzying slopes. This privileged geographical location in the historic heart of the appellation confers remarkable minerality and vigor to the wine.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in the Northern Rhône Valley was marked by contrasting weather conditions, with severe late frosts, an exceptionally wet spring, and an unpredictable summer. Despite these challenges leading to lower yields, the quality proved exceptional thanks to high natural acidity and excellent balance. This vintage is characterized by the elegance and finesse of the wines produced, perfectly aligned with the estate's contemporary philosophy.

Winemaking and aging

The Marsanne grapes destined for Le Berceau 2021 are gently pressed after manual harvesting. The wine is then aged in 228-liter oak barrels on fine lees for 8 to 12 months, with only 10 to 15% new wood to preserve the aromatic purity and mineral expression of the granitic terroir. This measured approach to aging avoids excessive wood influence while fostering the development of aromatic complexity through yeast autolysis.

Grape variety

100% Marsanne