Villars-sur-Var Clos Saint Joseph Blanc 2020

A captivating white from one of Provence's most remote corners, Clos Saint-Joseph's Côtes de Provence Blanc 2020 from Villars-sur-Var trades the region's sunny clichés for alpine freshness, stony precision, and a sense of place found nowhere else.

Tucked into the Var River valley north of Nice, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and dense woodland, Villars-sur-Var is an isolated enclave of the Côtes de Provence appellation, and Clos Saint-Joseph is the only domaine bottling wine from its rocky slopes. The estate is named for Roch Sassi's forebear Joseph, and today Roch and his partner Constance Malengé tend just a handful of hectares with an environmentally minded, biodynamic-leaning approach. Their vineyards sit on steep, stony marl soils where hot summer days are tempered by cool mountain air, a rare microclimate that has won the domaine a devoted following among Riviera restaurants and the attention of celebrated importer Kermit Lynch.

The blend of Rolle (Vermentino), Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, and a touch of Clairette pours a pale, luminous gold. Aromas of lemon peel, white peach, and pear mingle with fennel, wild herbs, and a distinct note of wet stone. The palate pairs the gentle roundness of Sémillon with the bright, vibrant lift of the mountains, showing a fleshy yet taut texture and a long, saline finish that feels almost filtered through rock. The sunny 2020 vintage lends a touch of extra generosity while keeping the wine's signature tension fully intact.

A rare and soulful Provençal white that reveals a side of the region few ever get to taste.