Description
Saint Joseph was originally called “Vin de Tournon”. The monks who lived in this little village used to produce wine from the vineyard at the top of the hill behind the village.
Terroir
The terroir in Saint Joseph is mainly composed of granite. The vineyard spreads out 40km along the right bank of the Rhône river. For our first vintage we wanted to make a balanced wine using grapes from the north of the appellation, which bring minerality and fruit, and ones from the historical centre of Saint Joseph that give more flesh to the wine. The blending makes wines with great distinction and extremely balanced.
The vintage
After the solar and Mediterranean 2015 vintage, 2016 is very structured and fresh. The wines are flattering right from the first months but their balance will carry them for many years.
Location
In the north of the appellation, the villages of St Pierre de Boeuf and Chavanay.
Process
Maceration and fermentation for about 20 days with pumping-over for the first few days followed by punching-down. Ageing in 1 and 2 year old barrels for 12 months to bring concentration to the wine.
Varietal
Syrah : 100%
Tasting
Beautiful intense dress with ruby highlights. The nose offers aromas of black fruit and slightly smoky graphite notes. With a beautiful attack, dense and velvety, it develops powerful and harmonious tannins.
Serving
Serve at 17°C on grilled meats or small game or why not try it with Pigeon ?
Reviews
92/100
"This is made from vines growing in St-Joseph’s northern granite soils, providing more evident minerality. It has extremely pure dark fruits and tightly spun tannins, with blackberry and redcurrant notes squeezing through, and there’s a lovely roundness as it unfurls through the centre of the palate. An excellent wine that will gain depth over the next five years, although it’s going to be hard to wait too long to enjoy this. Matured for 12 months, no new oak used."
Decanter - 2018
92/100
"Bright violet. Expressive black and blue fruit, floral and baking spice aromas pick up a bright mineral quality and a suggestion of woodsmoke with air. Intense blackberry and bitter cherry flavors show excellent clarity and spicy lift, and a violet pastille flourish adds building sweetness. Delivers a solid punch of dark fruit flavor and comes off surprisingly lithe, with smooth closing tannins and a sneaky, lingering mineral note."
Vinous - 2019