2022 Yves Cuilleron St Joseph Blanc Lyseras, Northern Rhone

The 2022 Saint Joseph Lyséras Blanc is more medium-bodied, with a fresher, lively, elegant style as well as pretty citrus, honeyed white flowers, and obvious minerality on the nose. It's balanced, has a clean, pure profile, and will evolve nicely over the coming 3-5 years.

91 points Jeb Dunnuck

Drawn from steep granite slopes around Chavanay, Lyseras shows just how compelling Saint Joseph Blanc can be when Marsanne is handled with precision. Yves Cuilleron has built his reputation on these northern Rhône sites, working parcel by parcel to capture texture without losing the natural freshness that defines the region.

The 2022 vintage leans into both richness and detail. Aromatics open with ripe pear, white peach and quince, layered with lemon zest and a gentle floral lift. There is a savoury thread running through it, almond, beeswax, fennel and a hint of spice, with a faint stony note that keeps everything grounded.

On the palate it is medium to full bodied with a broad, silky texture, but there is a clear line of acidity that keeps the wine moving. Orchard fruit flows into more savoury territory, nuts, spice and a lightly waxy edge, finishing long with a mineral touch and a gentle, lingering warmth.

Winemaking is handled with a careful balance of stainless steel and oak, building texture and complexity while preserving clarity and site expression.

This opens up plenty of interesting options at the table. Try it with seared scallops and burnt butter, roast chicken with preserved lemon, or pork with fennel and apple. It also works beautifully with richer vegetarian dishes, like a pumpkin and ricotta agnolotti, grilled asparagus with hollandaise, or a white bean and herb bake, where the wine’s texture and savoury notes really come into play.

Drinking well now, it will continue to evolve over the next six to ten years, developing deeper honeyed, nutty complexity while holding its structure.