Rhône Syrah emotion. There is only one place on this planet where Syrah is capable of reaching such emotional heights. Our expert guides us through the northern Rhône Valley, between the peaks of finesse and elegance.
Hermitage
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage 2021
Although his life’s work will remain the development of the Chalaix hillside and the Clos Florentin at the southern end of Mauves, for several generations the Chave estate has embodied the great wines of Hermitage, both through its magnificent vineyards in Bessards, Méal, Ermite, Rocoules and Maison Blanche, as well as through its fierce determination to offer only one wine, a harmonious and profound synthesis of the different expressions of the hillside.
There are no single vineyard cuvées here, and Jean-Louis Chave proudly defends his convictions. However, in vintages that are even more brilliant than average, he gives in to temptation. He produces a second blend called Cathelin, made from secretly kept proportions of different lieux-dits, but marked by the granites of Bessards. If it is ever released, the 2020 will go down in history. In 2021, only the normal cuvée was produced. It has a lovely mouthfeel, more refined than that of the Saint-Joseph wines also produced at the estate. Its texture will refine with time and soften its slight bitterness. The frank red fruit of the Syrah (blackcurrant, vine peach) is already well established. 97/100
Domaine de la Chapelle, La Chapelle 2022
Paul Jaboulet Aîné now isolates La Chapelle from the rest of its range. A new winery is to be built for this iconic cuvée at the foot of the famous hill. The cuvée takes its name from the small chapel perched on the upper part of the Saint-Christophe hillside, now known as Bessards. The Jaboulet estate owns the chapel and has beautifully restored it. The cuvée does not come from the surrounding vines.
Traditionally, La Chapelle was a blend of Méal and Bessards, in that order, as Jaboulet has always had prime plots on the Méal pebble hillside. However, this 2022 vintage also incorporates a little Rocoules, only in the upper part of the hillside, as the vines planted at the bottom of the slope are intended for Maison Bleue, the second blend. Although very young, this 2022 already has a complex nose (red and black fruits, toasted and balsamic nuances, a hint of sweet spices). On the palate, the tannins are well-integrated, with a mellow texture that is characteristic of the great modern successes of this cuvée. The finish is carried by the Bessards granite and requires time in the bottle. 96/100
Chapoutier, Monier de la Sizeranne 2021
Michel Chapoutier, the largest landowner in Hermitage, made a name for himself in the 1990s with his famous single vineyard wines. While the reds Le Pavillon (from Les Bessards) and L’Ermite regularly reach the heights of the very greatest wines, at very high prices, we have chosen this more affordable cuvée.
Produced exclusively from the Chapoutier estate’s vines, it is a model of Hermitage blending, a brilliant synthesis of the different areas of the hill, combining the delicious fruitiness of ripe Syrah with the muscular depth of caressing tannins. Under the influence of the current cellar master Clément Bärtschi, this cuvée has shown significant progress over several vintages. In the past, it was sometimes the result of a default construction, once the batches destined for parcel selections had been defined. Today, it is a blend in its own right, constructed like a great wine. With the 2021 vintage, the addition of 15% whole bunches further enhances its depth. This 2021 vintage displays ripe, unopulent fruitiness (blackcurrant), with a creamy attack, smooth tannins and an elegant, balanced finish. The finish builds in power without forcing. 95/100
Delas, Ligne de Crête 2022
The estate has always produced two high-quality wines, La Landonne in Côte-Rôtie and Les Bessards in Hermitage. These two different expressions reveal the full potential of Syrah on these granite slopes. Since the 2015 vintage, it has been offering this new cuvée from a section of the Hermitage hill where it has a virtual monopoly (Les Grandes Vignes). It is located at the top of the Saint-Christophe hillside, with a 180° view of the vineyard and the Rhône valley winding below.
This is the highest part of the hill (320 metres), on a substrate of feldspar granite. This is another expression of Syrah on granite. The main differentiating factors are altitude and orientation, with consequences for sunshine and average temperatures. Syrahs are often the last to be harvested here. This 2022 offers a more floral nose than the Les Bessards cuvée, with a hint of smoke. The tannins are still a little firm and will require patience, but the fresh and elegant finish suggests a bright future. The 80% whole harvest brings a tight and dense tannic structure. 97/100
Guigal, Ex-Voto 2020
In a case like this, it would have been too easy to mention a Côte-Rôtie from Guigal, or even one of their highly successful Saint-Joseph wines. We chose instead to focus on Hermitage, an appellation where few consumers would expect to find the Guigal family, despite them being one of the largest landowners on the hill. Since acquiring the De Vallouit vineyards in 2001, Guigal has been cultivating nearly two hectares of red grapes in the Les Bessards, L’Ermite, Les Murets and Les Greffieux vineyards, from which this cuvée is produced.
Vinification and ageing à la Guigal, i.e. 40 months in new barrels from the estate’s own cooperage, produce a powerful wine with creamy tannins, richly aged, balanced and with great ageing potential, when the vintage is deemed worthy. When offering tastings of his entire range, Philippe Guigal always presents Ex-Voto last, after his Côte-Rôtie single vineyard wines. On the nose and palate, this 2020 offers a more sunny, southern expression than the estate’s Côte-Rôtie wines. The fruity intensity, savoury aromas of plum and blackcurrant, ultra-fine tannins and ultra-fresh persistence make this a great wine, where the ageing is complementary even if it is still slightly noticeable. 98/100
Domaine Sorrel, Le Gréal 2022
Don’t bother looking for Le Gréal on a map of the appellation, as it is a clever construction based on the localities of Les Greffieux (10%) and Le Méal (90%), two areas of the hill where the estate owns a large part of its vines. Greffieux is located just below Le Méal, with slightly thicker soil. The cuvée has been in existence since the 1984 vintage, on the initiative of Marc Sorrel (who had just arrived at the estate at the time) and his father Henri.
It has always incorporated 7-8% white grapes, as an entire terrace of Le Méal is planted with whites. The old vines planted on the hillside between 1927 and 1928 were well replanted with the arrival of Guillaume, the new generation, who also refined the work in the cellar. A great Gréal deserves to be left to age for around twenty years in the bottle, and this 2022 will be no exception. With a nose of black fruits and sweet spices and creamy tannins, this great Hermitage in the making needs its generous alcohol content to integrate, even if this is not immediately apparent. 98/100
Cave de Tain, Epsilon 2020
Thanks to the Gambert de Loche bequest, the founder and first president of the winery, this cooperative structure enjoys a diversity of terroirs on the Hermitage hill that rivals the largest private estates. Today, the 22 hectares on the large hill are cultivated organically. Following the extension of the winery, which produced its first wines with the 2014 vintage, Xavier Frouin, the winery’s oenologist for two decades, finally has the tools he needs to vinify as close as possible to the vineyard and offer blends that have gained in precision over the last few vintages, now rivalling the very best with his top-of-the-range cuvées.
This Epsilon cuvée, which is not produced every year, is a skilful blend of terroirs, combining the granitic sands of Ermite (85% of the blend), the Rhône pebbles of Méal (7%) and the pebbles and pudding stones of Rocoules (8%). The wine is exceptional in terms of freshness and velvety texture, with the alcohol brilliantly contained by very fine tannins that glide over the tongue. The black fruit aromas are fresh, with an intense and persistent finish and hints of graphite. Already surprisingly good to drink, even though it will age well for twenty years or more. 97/100
Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Graeme et Julie Bott, Côte-Rôtie 2021
This young winemaking couple created their own estate in 2015 and their range has since expanded considerably. In the Côte-Rôtie appellation, the estate cultivates one hectare of its own land (in the Semons, Lancement, Tartaras and Fongeant localities), supplemented by rentals and a few purchases of harvests (notably in Côte-Bodin). All the plots are harvested and vinified separately. Graeme likes to destem the grapes from the Côte Blonde terroirs, but appreciates a variable proportion of stems for those from the Côte Brune. As the blends are made just before bottling, this cuvée, representative of the estate’s style, incorporates an average of 20 to 30% whole grapes. In the 2021 vintage, this fruity Syrah produces a dense wine with a serious structure and tannins that are still a little firm, requiring further ageing. 93/100
Domaine Bonnefond, Côte Rozier 2021
With their estate located on the plateau overlooking the Côte-Rôtie appellation, the Bonnefonds are very familiar with this terroir known as Côte-Rozier, whose vertiginous slope plunges towards the village of Ampuis, in the heart of the Côte Brune sector, north of the Reynard, the stream that divides the appellation in two. The soil, composed of schist and mica schist, is richer in iron oxides, which gives the wine a more full-bodied and saline character than the sectors further south. Several producers cultivate vines on this renowned and sought-after terroir, but few isolate it in a dedicated cuvée, which prevents wine lovers from discovering the wine produced by this unique locality. Still very young, this powerful 2021 vintage, structured by firm tannins, seduces with its length and lingering finish, with a pleasant return of fresh black fruit. 94/100
Domaine Duclaux, Coteaux de Tupin 2020
A registered lieu-dit, Coteaux de Tupin is located in the south of the appellation, in the commune of Tupin-et-Semons, which borders the Condrieu appellation to the north. The gneiss bedrock produces wines with red fruit aromas and more pronounced floral notes than in the terroirs of the northern part of the appellation, which are based on schist and mica schist. In addition to this first-rate terroir, the vinification of mostly whole bunches and 26 months of barrel ageing undoubtedly explain the success of this cuvée, which is always the estate’s most accomplished. This 2020 vintage, with its abundant tannins and subtle, flavourful texture, offers beautiful persistence on notes of red and black fruits. The flowers jostle for position in the glass. Well-structured, this cuvée will improve over the next decade or two. 95/100
Dauvergne-Ranvier, Grand vin 2020
The winemaking duo François Dauvergne and Jean-François Ranvier do not own any vineyards in Côte-Rôtie, but source their grapes there with the same high standards as in the southern Rhône Valley where they are based. This cuvée, which contains a small amount of Viognier (2%), is made from fully destemmed grapes. It blends terroirs from three different communes within the appellation (Ampuis, Saint-Cyr and Tupin-et-Semons), which explains its delicious flavour and great clarity. The wine is aged entirely in Burgundy barrels for 18 months, before maturing in the bottle for a further year. This 2020 vintage displays aromas of red and black fruits (raspberry and blackcurrant), before revealing a palate with soft, round tannins. A harmonious Côte-Rôtie to be enjoyed young. 90/100
Domaine Corinne et Jean-Paul Jamet, La Landonne 2019
An old family from Ampuis, the Jamets cultivate a remarkable vineyard comprising no fewer than fifteen different lieux-dits, mainly located in the schistose parts of the heart and north of the appellation. Jean-Paul Jamet and now his son Loïc are entirely dedicated to their work, which partly explains the incredible ageing potential of their wines.
In addition to the blended cuvée, the estate’s reputation has long been embodied by the highly sought-after Côte-Brune cuvée, a micro-production of 2,500 to 3,000 bottles from half a hectare, produced almost every year since 1976. Since the 2018 vintage, with at least equal success, the estate has given in to the temptation to isolate another plot of its vineyard, located in the prestigious La Landonne locality. This grandiose cuvée offers aromas of ink and black fruits, as well as well-structured tannins whose current firmness will soften after good bottle ageing. The intense, fresh finish reveals the splendour of great Syrah wines grown on schist. 98/100
Domaine Levet, La Péroline 2021
This may be the last small family estate to welcome guests to its cellar located along the roadside in the heart of Ampuis. And visitors could be even more numerous given the reasonable prices of the wines on offer. Agnès Levet is a cousin of the appellation’s leading families and owns an incredible collection of plots spread across the heart of the appellation.
The jewel in her crown, representing a third of her vineyards, is undoubtedly the Chavaroche locality, nestled between the Côte Brune and Côte Blonde sectors and bordered by the famous Reynard stream. Tasting this Péroline cuvée, made exclusively from Chavaroche grapes (not stated on the label), is a unique opportunity to discover this terroir, which is very representative of the Côte Brune with its powerful sap. This 2021 vintage has an intense and complex nose, with notes of black fruits (blueberry), minerals and plants (fern), and offers silky tannins on the palate. The whole harvest brings extra refinement and freshness on the finish. 96/100
Domaine Stéphane Ogier, La Belle Hélène 2019
Stéphane Ogier has been one of the rising stars of the appellation since the beginning of this century. He has established himself as a specialist in Côte-Rôtie wines, even daring to shake up some well-established practices by offering, when the vintage allows, a case of his best terroirs – rarely the same from one edition to the next.
This is an innovation when most estates offer a blend from different areas of the appellation or highlight a clearly defined parcel. This cuvée was initiated by Stéphane’s father Michel as a tribute to his wife Hélène. Produced exclusively from the Côte-Rozier locality (but not claimed as such), it reveals the splendour and pedigree of the Côte Brune terroir with age. With even more concentrated and structured substance than Lancement, the estate’s other great cuvée, the bouquet of this 2019 needs time, but its velvety mouthfeel hints at great potential. It will need to be left to age for fifteen years or more. 97/100
Domaine Pichon, La Comtesse en Côte Blonde 2022
In Côte-Rôtie, vintages with amusing names are rare. This one, produced by the Pichon estate, has been a nod to a famous Pauillac cru classé since the 2005 vintage. Obviously, to claim the famous Côte Blonde, the vineyard must be located there according to the criteria of the land registry. Christophe Pichon cultivates 4,500 m² in this area in the heart of Ampuis.
The grapes used in this cuvée are completely destemmed, which gives it extra velvety- e and a delicious mouthfeel, characteristics that are not found in a Côte Brune wine, for example. After 22 months of ageing, this 2022 vintage can be appreciated, illustrating how the Côte-Rôtie terroir produces Syrahs that are different from those of other crus in the northern Rhône Valley, starting with those of the neighbouring Saint-Joseph appellation. With its unrivalled tactile grace, blackberry aromas and delicate tannins, it offers great refinement, whereas the terroirs of the Côte Brune offer more muscle and full-bodied flavours. 94/100
Domaine Georges Vernay, Maison Rouge 2021
Already renowned in Georges Vernay’s day for the brilliance and purity of its Condrieu wines, the estate has earned the same reputation for its Côte-Rôtie wines under the direction of Christine Vernay, now assisted by her daughter Emma. Of the two Côte-Rôtie wines produced at the estate, Maison Rouge is without question the most accomplished.
It is made from old vines, some of which were planted in the 1950s in the Maison Rouge sector, located in the south of the appellation, in the commune of Tupin-et-Semons, on granite and gneiss soils, which differ from the mica schist soils found in the northern sectors of the appellation, as well as in Condrieu. Thirty percent whole bunch fermentation and two years of ageing have allowed this 2021 to develop a nose more focused on aromas of undergrowth and cocoa than on fruity notes. Beautiful texture on the palate, depth and a fresh and flavourful balance. These elements will continue to develop over time. 95/100
Domaine Pierre-Jean Villa, Fongeant 2021
Since his early days, Pierre-Jean Villa has always isolated this parcel of Fongeant, which he marketed until the 2015 vintage under the name Belle de Maïa. Since then, other producers have adopted this approach, such as Stéphane Ogier and Graeme Bott, and soon Guigal with the new La Reynarde cuvée. The 70 ares he cultivates are divided into two: 55 ares on the plateau planted between 1954 and 1955 and 15 ares planted in 2015 on the hillside, at a slightly higher altitude. Until now, only the vines on the plateau have produced this cuvée, which is generally made exclusively from 100% whole bunches.
In this 2021 vintage that we have selected, Pierre-Jean did not want to tempt fate and reduced this proportion to 50%. Blended with a little Viognier and aged in 500-litre vats for two years, the Syrah from the great terroir of Fongeant still stands out for its fullness on the palate and its distinctive floral aromas. The mouthfeel of this 2021, all finesse and delicacy, needs a little time to blossom. 95/100
Cornas
Domaine Auguste Clape, Cornas 2019
With Pierre-Marie and then Olivier, the generations have followed on from Auguste. And for decades, this estate has embodied like no other the traditional style of Cornas wine that we love to find on the wine lists of really good bistros. The vineyard covers the main areas of the appellation, while the vinification is as traditional as possible, using whole bunches. Although the old casks used for ageing seem outdated, all the vintages produced are sure bets.
The cuvée sold under the sole designation of Cornas is the estate’s great wine. This blend, in which all the terroirs slowly assert themselves (15 to 20 years minimum), allows one to appreciate the muscle that the granite slopes give to the Syrah. In this deep and intense wine, one can sense the beautiful maturity of the grapes, which, in this sunny vintage, have avoided the trap of overripeness and jamminess. In the same vein (black fruits, blueberry , ink), the palate is deep, with ripe tannins giving way to a wonderfully fresh finish with hints of mint. This 2019 will showcase the greatness of the Cornas terroir, but patience will be required. 96/100
Jean-Luc Colombo, La Louvée 2021
Jean-Luc and Anne Colombo produced their first vintage in 1987, before being joined by their daughter Laure. However, in almost forty years, the Colombos have established a style that has since spread to many producers in the sector. Once described as rustic, Cornas wine now offers elegant, muscular but well-coated tannins. This style is found in each of the cuvées produced by the family. The La Louvée cuvée comes from vines located on the Cornas hillside, just above the village, facing east and south-east. It is at the top of the range when the vintage does not allow for the production of the Vallon de l’Aigle cuvée.In the 2021 vintage, it offers pleasant tannins and density, with a more floral than fruity bouquet and a fresh liquorice finish. 94/100
Domaine Vincent Paris, La Geynale 2022
Established since 1997, Vincent Paris is the nephew of a local figure, Robert Michel, from whom he took over the famous plot labelled La Geynale, even though it is registered in the cadastre as Reynard. At the foot of this hillside, just above the village of Cornas, the vineyard faces south-east and is planted on weathered granite soil, which gives the wine produced here its distinctive character. Vincent began working the soil after several decades of using weedkillers. While the viticulture will continue to improve over time, tasting already reveals all the vigour of this great terroir. Planted in 1910, the vines look beautiful and the vinification of the entire harvest brings extra body and freshness, as exemplified by this 2022 with its delicious fruitiness and blueberry jelly flavours. We love the concentration, density, intensity, depth and persistence that the century-old vines bring to this wine. 94/100
Domaine Alain Voge, Les Vieilles Vignes 2021
The estate still bears the name of Alain Voge, the man who led it into bottling its own wine from 1965 onwards and who handed over the reins in the early 2000s. Today, Alain Voge is no longer with us and the estate is run by Lionel Fraisse and Laurent Martin. Voge left his mark on generations of wine lovers by pioneering the promotion of the terroirs of the two neighbouring villages of Cornas and Saint-Péray, at a time when the other stars of Cornas (Clape, Allemand, Colombo, etc.) owed their reputation solely to red Cornas wines.
In the range of four Cornas wines, the Les Vieilles Vignes and Les Vieilles Fontaines cuvées are at the top of the range. The latter, from the La Fontaine vineyard, is not produced every year (2015, 2016 and 2019 recently). This 2021 old vines wine offers exquisite black fruit (fresh blackcurrant) and smooth tannins that give it a velvety texture. Refined and deep, it has a magnificent fresh finish. 95/100
Crozes-Hermitage
Domaine Les Bruyères, Les Croix 2021
Unknown to the general public until he left the cooperative in 2003, David Reynaud has come a long way since then. Most of his vineyards are located at the southern end of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, on the sandy, alluvial soils of Beaumont-Monteux. Made from destemmed grapes, his wines have become a benchmark for their delicious aromas of vine peach, fig and damson plum.
The high quality of this raw material, known as ‘ ‘, can also be explained by the introduction of plots of old vines. Made from vines over 60 years old and harvested by hand, this cuvée is aged for 18 months, alternating between old barrels and concrete vats. Since the 2022 vintage, the estate has been incorporating a small amount of whole bunches. Fruity and delicious, with aromas of blackcurrant and sweet spices, a rounded palate with harmonious tannins and a smooth finish, this 2021 vintage, which is less long than others, is a real pleasure. 91/100
Domaine Laurent Combier, Clos des Grives 2022
Under Laurent Combier’s leadership, this estate has risen to the top ranks of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. Located in the Plaine des Châssis, it benefited from its inclusion in the area defined in 1952. Before specialising in viticulture, the Combier family were arborists, as was often the case in the Drôme region at that time, and their cultivation methods have always respected the principles of organic farming, even before official labels existed. The range has expanded and is now complemented by a smart trade with winegrowers who share the same sensibility. The estate’s top-of-the-range cuvée, Clos-desgrives (in both colours), has been on the market since the 1990 vintage, and various vertical tastings demonstrate the ageing potential afforded by its Rhône pebble terroir. This 2022 vintage offers extra finesse and depth compared to the estate cuvée, with ultra-silky tannins and ageing that brings elegance. 94/100
Domaine Alain Graillot, La Guiraude 2022
This is undoubtedly the first private winery that helped to make Crozes-Hermitage wines known outside the region. The late Alain Graillot settled in the Plaine des Châssis in 1985. Taking over from him, his sons Maxime and Antoine have remained faithful to his principles, particularly that of vinifying reds with the entire harvest. When the vintage allows, they isolate the best parts of the cellar to produce the La Guiraude cuvée, which is therefore not the result of a parcel selection. It always displays greater depth and density than the rest of the range, with the stems adding extra muscle to the tannins, as in this 2022 vintage, which is still carried by the vanilla aromas of ageing and is supple but well-structured on the palate. Elegant, refined and straightforward, with a pleasant persistence, it will age well for ten years or more. 91/100
Saint-Joseph Ferraton Père et Fils, Lieu-dit Bonneveau 2022
The Ferraton estate has belonged to Michel Chapoutier for over twenty years, but continues to offer its own unique style even though the terroirs are the same. The Bonneveau vineyard is located in the commune of Tournon, at an altitude of 350 metres, which brings a little more freshness to the grapes and allows them to retain some of their acidity as they ripen. The grapes are destemmed and vinified in concrete vats, which emphasises the purity of these granite soils.
This 2022 is characteristic of a well-defined Syrah, with aromas of tomato stalks, red fruits and black pepper to spice it all up. The palate is not the most powerful or concentrated, but we love its smooth tannins and finesse, which make you want to reach for another glass. This is a red wine that is more suited to white meats and poultry than red meats. Smooth, supple and well-balanced, it is everything you would expect from a lovely Saint-Joseph. 91/100
Domaine Pierre Gaillard, Clos de Cuminaille 2022
Pierre Gaillard has a particular attachment to this vineyard, as it was his first planting when he set up his own business and cleared his first plots. This was in 1981 , and he did not produce his first vintage until 1984. At the time, he was still head of cultivation at Vidal-Fleury, before moving to Guigal and then setting up full-time in 1987.
Cuminaille consists of three hectares of east-facing slopes on granite sand in Chavanay, which prevents the grapes from roasting during the hot summer months. Unlike many plots in the area, where vines are planted on stakes (large wooden posts that allow the vines to grow vertically), here the vines are trained and pruned using the Royat cordon method. The sunshine of the 2022 vintage allowed the grapes to ripen well, resulting in powerful aromas of violet and vine peach, a smooth and caressing texture and a beautiful, mellow and harmonious finish, less velvety but more saline than that of a Côte-Rôtie. 92/100
Domaine Pierre Gonon, Saint-Joseph 2022
Perhaps the most iconic estate in the entire Saint-Joseph appellation, the most sprawling in the northern Rhône. It must be said that Pierre and Jean Gonon have no vines in Cornas, Hermitage or Côte-Rôtie. Here, it is all Saint-Joseph, and the same success in both white and red wines that age perfectly for ten, even twenty years.
On their terroirs in Mauves, Tournon and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, the granite soil combined with the difference in microclimate compared to Chavanay, located 50 kilometres further north, gives the Syrah a particular warmth in its ripe fruit aromas, as well as a velvety tannin that is more elegant and less peppery or full-bodied than in the north of the appellation. This 2022 is currently restrained, with beautiful concentration on the palate, very fine tannins and magnificent freshness. It is not ready to drink today and it would be a shame to open it too soon. This wine offers a brilliant interpretation of the finesse of the beautiful hillsides of Saint-Joseph. 95/100
Domaine André Perret, Les Grisières 2020
Renowned for its two Condrieux wines (Clos Chanson and Coteau de Chery), the estate also produces Saint-Joseph wines of great finesse. Unlike so many estates in the area, the Perrets have never sought to produce Côte-Rôtie wines, even though they are so close by. This cuvée bears the name of an old family vineyard that no longer exists. Only its name survives through this blend of two parcels of old vines over 70 years old located in Chavanay (75% comes from Les Rivoires and the rest from the Chanson terroir).
The reds from these areas, which are largely planted with white grapes, are distinguished by their very fine tannins. André Perret launched this cuvée in 1986, with a few vintages missing (2002, 2008 and 2021). This silky and caressing 2020 is based on very fine tannins, no doubt due to the venerable age of the vines. The fruitiness is generous without being heavy, the alcohol is restrained and the woodiness integrated. 93/100
Tardieu-Laurent, Le Goût du Lieu 2020
Michel Tardieu and his son Bastien have always bought grapes from the northern Rhône Valley. This skilled winemaker regularly produces wines with aromas of black and red fruits and black olives, with a palate sculpted by well-developed tannins, and the woody aromas of the younger vintages quickly fading. This Saint-Joseph comes from the unique terroir of Chanson, in Chavanay, a muscovite granite soil with good southern exposure that allows the Syrah to soak up the sun. This 2020 vintage has a beautiful structure and delicious aromas of vine peaches. The ageing has refined the wine while respecting the native qualities of the grapes. The subtle bitterness imparted by the granite sands makes it a perfect accompaniment to rich grilled red meat. 91/100
photo by Serge Chapuis
