Domaine Bernard Gripa - Saint-Péray Les Figuiers 2023

Decanter

About wine:

A lovely aroma, very bright and appealing. The wine is full-bodied; the acidity is fairly low but not out of balance, with a nice liveliness that brings out the pear flavors. A wine that combines richness and texture with freshness. Good density, with a mineral edge and brioche notes on the finish. A cuvée from old vines—averaging about 60 years of age.

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

There are some wines you never tire of. Like this one, whose evocative name makes you want to take a stroll through the vineyard. Dominated by Roussanne (60%), this Saint-Péray offers aromas of honeysuckle, green almond, white pepper, and wild mint. With a radiant balance, the palate is lively and creamy at the same time, supported by oak notes with hints of buttered toast and enhanced by a long, mineral finish. It pairs beautifully with fine fish or, on its own, as an aperitif.

About the estate:

The Gripa family arrived in Saint-Péray in the 17th century, then settled in Mauves around 1850. A sure bet in the northern Rhône Valley, both for its Saint-Péray and Saint-Joseph wines (as evidenced by the numerous Favorites in both appellations), the estate has been run since 2001 by Fabrice Gripa, son of Bernard, who now manages 18 hectares of vineyards.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

The 2023 Saint-Péray Les Figuiers is a robust wine that reveals a dense, exotic bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, flowers, white pear, lemon zest, and spices, interwoven with delicate minty notes. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, round and sap-like, it is enveloping and harmonious with lively acidity and a long, delicate, fruity finish. This blend of 60% Roussanne and 40% Marsanne should age gracefully over the next ten years and beyond.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Fabrice Gripa continues his father's work in the Mauves estate, which produces as many white wines as reds. He is a master of his craft, producing a range of wines with strong personalities. The whites are represented by four cuvées: two Saint-Péray and two Saint-Joseph. The reds are fruit-forward, with integrity and admirable aging. A consistent estate producing wines of very high quality.

Vinous

About wine:

The 2023 Saint-Péray Les Figuiers opens with intense notes of lemon zest, cedar, jasmine, and a hint of honeysuckle. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, concentrated, and well-structured, the 2023 is a delightful Les Figuiers that ranks among the best wines in the entire appellation.

James Suckling

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

With a higher proportion of Roussanne but including 40% Marsanne, the 2023 Saint-Péray Les Figuiers is a riper, richer white wine that exhibits a more exotic style, with aromas of honeyed orchard fruits, dried flowers, toasted bread, and salty, mineral notes. Like Les Pins, it is beautifully balanced, medium-bodied to full-bodied, and impeccably crafted. Best enjoyed within the next 4 to 5 years. Although the styles of Gripa’s two white wines are radically different, the quality of both is incredible. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2030.