Winemaker Notes
Deep red with a complex nose with notes of red fruit and smoked lardons. Vibrant and elegant on the palate, this wine is a perfect representation of this northern Rhône terroir. Silky tannins, and a long, satisfying finish. Delicious with roasted poultry and grilled meats. Aging potential of ten to fifteen years.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Plenty of raw meat and smoked bacon, as well as red-fruit aromas and minty freshness make the bouquet of this St.-Joseph really expressive. Very elegant tannins keep the medium-bodied palate very focused through the long, fine-grained, stony finish.
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Wine Spectator
Shows creamed pear and juicy lemon flavors that are lush and mouthwatering on the palate, woven with notes of buttered brioche, dried thyme and verbena. Stays vibrant, thanks to a streak of salty mineral and a fresh squeeze of lime at the end. Roussanne and Marsanne.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Spanning the longest stretch of river in the northern Rhône—from Condrieu in the north, to Cornas in the south—the heart of St.-Joseph lies directly across the Rhône River from Hermitage. While its soils are basically the same as Hermitage: granite, supplemented by sand and gravel, its east facing slope receives less sunlight than Hermitage, which causes less overall berry ripening on its Syrah vines. However, some of the best of them can rival any fine expression of Hermitage, Cote-Rotie or Cornas with concentrated black fruits, dark spices, crushed rock and violets. A general advantage of the region is that its Syrahs typically don’t need as much time in the bottle compared to a Cote-Rotie or Hermitage and are much easier on the bank account!
A textbook St.-Joseph red is firm with a core of minerality that is enhanced by savory and peppery qualities. Aromas and flavors of smoke, olives, herbs, and violets are common; its wines are dense in red and black fruit.
St.-Joseph is also a source of fine northern Rhône white wine. Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne grow well here and can be blended or made into single varietal wines. St.-Joseph whites are full and silky with citrus, pear and pineapple flavors and a rich bouquet reminiscent of honeysuckle, toasted nuts, spice and caramel.