Domaine Georges Vernay, Saint-Joseph (Rhône Valley, France) 2017

 This house makes wonderful whites as well as reds, all very tastefully wrought, and rarely showing even a whiff of any excess ripeness or extraction or wood.  Unfortunately, they aren’t easy to find in the USA, and are usually much more expensive on our side of the Atlantic than in Europe.  This particular wine shows the house’s stylish side in the form of alluring floral topnotes and lively, spicy flavors, but also shows seriousness in the form of admirable concentration and very flavorful fruit that easily outlasts the wood and tannins in the finish.  Delicious St-Jo.  My approximate price halves the difference between the $60 you’d likely pay in the USA and the $40 or so this will cost you in Europe.