Domaine Vallet Saint-Joseph Meribets 2015
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
As to the reds, both are outstanding. The 2015 Saint Joseph Meribets comes from the Cime de la Côte lieu-dit (granite soils), was partially destemmed and brought up all in barrel. It offers terrific notes of black raspberries, peppery spice, and liquid violets, with ample background Syrah meatiness showing with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, with good purity, and present tannin, it’s beautiful wine capable of lasting a decade or more
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The full-bodied 2015 Saint Joseph Meribets was raised entirely in oak, but it doesn't really show. Cherries, spice and herb notes mark the nose, while the palate is rich and creamy in texture, seamlessly flowing into a long, silky finish. It should drink well for a decade.
Other Vintages
2017-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
-
Dunnuck
Jeb
-
Parker
Robert
Louis Vallet and his son Anthony preside over this small artisan domaine. In addition to carrying on a 150-year-old family wine growing tradition on the steep slopes of Saint-Joseph, the Vallets still farm cherry and apricot trees on the plateau below.
They tend a combined 30 acres of vines including parcels in four distinct terroir zones around Serrières, one of Saint-Joseph’s 26 communes located in the northern part of the 37 mile-long appellation. Anthony now calls the shots in both the vineyard and the cellar, but Dad is still a very active advisor.
The domaine produces three red wines from 100% Syrah, two limited-production white Saint Josephs, and a similarly limited quantity of Condrieu. The Saint-Joseph Cuvée des Muletiers is named for the men who used to transport wine up to market in St-Étienne by mule-drawn wagons. The Vallets push the envelope on ripeness with the domaine’s oldest vine parcel (planted in the 70s), do more punching down, and age Muletiers longer in barrel than their cuvée Méribets.
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.