The brilliant 2005 St.-Peray Fleur de Crussol behaves like a grand cru Chablis. It exhibits beautiful, intense notes of citrus, crushed rocks, honeysuckle, and pure fruit. Consistently one of the top estates in Cornas, Alain Voge, who survived a liver transplant in 1998, is now partnered with the brilliant oenologist who worked for Michel Chapoutier, Alberic Mazoyer. In fact, Chapoutier is one of Voge’s investors. Alain Voge, who owns nearly 18 acres in Cornas, with some fabulous old vine parcels in Chaillot and Combe, also has 15 acres in St.-Peray, where he fashions one of that appellation’s finest dry whites, the Chablis look-alike called Fleur de Crussol. I was struck by how successful all of the following offerings were. Importer: New Castle Imports, Pawley’s Island, SC; tel. (843) 448-9463

Beautiful purity and mouthfeel, with peach, honeysuckle, melon, salted butter and mineral notes that glide through the creamy but well-defined finish. Drink now through 2009. 400 cases made, 25 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Northern Rh?ne / St.-Péray Select to Add