AOC. Saint-Joseph Blanc (Northern Rhône), France - 100% Roussanne from plots located in the northern part of the Rhône, on hillsides with granitic soils, characteristic of Saint-Joseph, which impart tension, minerality, and a very particular structure to the white wines of the region. In this context, Roussanne expresses itself with greater freshness and verticality than in warmer southern areas.
The winemaking follows Souhaut's usual philosophy, based on minimal intervention: hand-harvesting, direct pressing, and fermentation with native yeasts. Aging takes place in used barrels, aiming to add texture and complexity without overpowering the wine with oak. No invasive practices are used, and the use of sulfites is very restrained, respecting the expression of the grape and the vineyard as much as possible.
In tasting, L’Etrati 2024 presents a very refined and precise profile within the Roussanne style. On the nose, aromas of stone fruit (apricot, peach), white flowers, hints of light honey, and a herbal and mineral background emerge. On the palate, it is an elegant wine, with medium body but very well supported by acidity, which lends freshness and balance. The texture is silky, with a certain unctuousness characteristic of the variety, but without heaviness. The finish is long, with a slightly saline character and a very fine bitter note that adds depth.
Hervé Souhaut, one of the key winemakers in the Northern Rhône, has opted for lighter, more precise, and minimally intervened wines, both red and white, moving away from heavier or overripe profiles. In the case of L’Etrati blanc, he achieves a more taut, elegant, and gastronomic interpretation of Roussanne, maintaining varietal identity but with a fresher and more contemporary take on the Saint-Joseph terroir.
Overall, it's a white wine that combines texture, freshness, and minerality, with good aging potential and is especially interesting as a table wine, where it can complement complex dishes without overshadowing them. Recommended by The Sommelier.
