Guigal Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Rouge 2015

Professional Ratings

• 96 James Suckling

  A very fleshy, ripe and slightly rounder expression that has a very impressive array of graphite, dark, stony minerals and blackberries, swathed in freshly ground, woody spices, bacon fat and pepper. There’s immense composure to the palate with dark-plum essence, dark chocolate and blackberries. Firm, oak tannins frame it up nice and long. Powerful. This needs time but has a long life ahead. Try in 2021.

• 95 Wine Spectator

  Dark and winey, with intense waves of warm fig, blackberry and black currant compote flowing through, framed by mocha and apple wood accents. Everything pulls together over a strong graphite edge on the finish. Inviting now, but should be better with cellaring. Best from 2020 through 2030. 

• 95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  As the 2015 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph had been recently bottled when I tasted it last year and rated it 94 points, I've retasted it and upgraded it a point. Despite being aged in 100% new oak for close to 24 months, it shows only subtle hints of pencil shavings and vanilla on the nose, testament to the substance of the wine. Crushed stones play a role on the nose as well, emblematic of the site's granitic soils, while the velvety mouthfeel of this full-bodied wine delivers waves of rich, concentrated cherries that linger elegantly on the finish.

• 95 Jeb Dunnuck

  The Saint Joseph Lieu Dit Saint Joseph releases all come from a fabulous south-facing, granite hillside located just to the south of Tournon. The 2015 Saint Joseph Lieu Dit Saint Joseph is a full-bodied, sexy beast of a wine that boasts a saturated purple color, huge notes of blackberries, burning embers, graphite, and background oak, a stacked mid-palate, and sweet yet building tannins. Despite all its richness and depth, it has thrilling purity of fruit and is impeccably balanced. Don’t miss this beauty!

• 92 Decanter

  From 20 to 75 year old vines grown in very steep gneiss and granite soils near Mauves, yielding 38 hl/ha in 2015. The wine spent 24 months in new oak, and was bottled without fining or filtration. Immediately you feel the power of the sunny vintage in the ripeness and relaxed nature of the fruit. It is full-bodied and rich in fruit, but generous oak is also apparent. The tannins are a touch on the dry side. A long, rich, slightly warming finish.

  Drinking Window 2019 - 2024