Perhaps a better title for this post is, ‘Indy/Rare/Small-Lot Wine of the Week.’
I’ve been on an Argentinean kick lately, not sure why, but I grabbed this one with no hesitation a few weeks ago at a Bon Vivant Wine Guild tasting.
The Saint Jeannet is a very rare grape – grown in just a couple of places around the world (yes, seriously, just a couple). Since this was my first exposure to this particular varietal I Googled it and was surprised by how little information there is available for Saint Jeannet. I was only able to find a few references online – one of which noted that there is only one Saint Jeanet vineyard remaining in the world (in Argentina) – enough for just 500 cases of wine per year per planet. Wow! Given the lack of information available for this grape, I was unable to validate this information, but can only assume it’s near the truth.
Campo Negro 2007 Saint Jeannet
From Mendoza, Argentina. Pale straw color. 13% alcohol. $12.75/bottle. Very interesting nose reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc at first with crisp grapefruit and lemon, followed by doughnut dough and éclair crème aromas (reminded me of a dunkin donuts). Lively acidity with tart tropical fruits in the mouth and a pear finish.
An interesting grape!
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Drink What YOU Like 
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This is my favorite white wine, and an incredible value for the $$. Nice blog.
Todd – thanks for stopping by. Definitely an interesting varietal.
Georges RASSE is the proprietere of Vignoble St. Jeannet, a winery near the village of St. Jeannet north of Nice in the Alpes-Maritimes. Georges has a small vineyard which he took over from his father and on which he produces a variety of grapes for his excellent white and red wines, including a couple of reds, a couple of whites, a rose and a range of superb dessert wines. Grapes produced include cabernet sauvignon, syrah, chardonnay and viognier–not a complete list. He uses the ancient Nicoise vinification system that exposes the juice to sunlight for several months in large glass demijohns before the reds go into oak and the whites go into steel. His Cuvee Longo Mai is his best red with a good balance of acidity and tannins that drinks well now but could keep 10 years.
His Blanc Prestige white is spicy and complex with Chardonnay, Ugni blanc and Viognier in the mix.
The labels Georges use are drawn by his brother, an artist who lives with his Argentine wife in Argentina and runs a guest house there.
Vignoble St. Jeannet is very much worth the trip. Georges is a great host and he produces some remarkable wines with an ancient, well-practice process.
Daniel – Thanks for stopping by to comment, and for the background. I look forward to trying more of these wines.
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Where can I buy Saint Jeannet Reposo in Columbus,Ohio? Thanks
Hi Vicki – no clue where to buy the St. Jeannet in OH… try Wine-Searcher.com.
Can buy it at Hills Market in Worthington on Rte 315. enjoy
The Mendoza-based winery Allamand is currently producing a 50/50 Saint Jeannet/Chardonnay blend. It is quite excellent – distributed by Vanguard Wines (Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky).