Saint-Joseph
St Joseph is the second-largest appellation in the Northern Rhône with 50 growers producing wines from over 600 hectares of vineyards. Established in 1956, over 90 percent of the wine is red – made exclusively from the Syrah grape; the whites are typically a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. The best St Josephs are still produced in its original heartland, between St Jean-de-Muzols and Mauves.
St Joseph is the second-largest appellation in the Northern Rhône with 50 growers producing wines from over 600 hectares of vineyards. Established in 1956, over 90 percent of the wine is red – made exclusively from the Syrah grape. The white wines, meanwhile, are typically a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne varieties. Its vineyards run due south on the west side below Condrieu, and are in six communes: Mauves, Tournon, St Jean-de-Muzols, Lemps, Vion and Glun.
The styles of wine in St Joseph tend to be much lighter than other red Appellations d'Origine Contrôlee and the quality can vary dramatically. The soils and climate differ, as it is a long, narrow AOC. There is no particular characteristic of the commune as some wines are produced near Côte-Rôtie, while others are near to Cornas.The best St Josephs are still produced in the original heartland of the appellation between St Jean-de-Muzols and Mauves, where soils are predominately granitic with patches of limestone and schist. Typically, even the finest St Josephs are slightly lighter and faster-maturing than the wines of Hermitage, as St Joseph's east-facing vineyards lose the sun up to two hours earlier in the crucial ripening season.
To meet demand, some extensions of the appellation have been made on less than ideal land, producing wines of indifferent quality.
Recommended producers: Pierre Gaillard, Jerome Coursodon, Paul Jaboulet
Best vintages: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1996, 1990
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£22.95
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£247.80
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£90.24
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Chave,
Ready, but will keep,
Jean-Louis is John the Baptiste to the re-emerging St Joseph appellation, if you will pardon the blasphemy. Despite the family’s association with the hill of Hermitage, it is across the river in Mauves where the family have resided over the centuries and it is here in St Joseph where he has bought and completely transformed the famous Clos Florentin estate. Indeed some of the estate fruit finds its way into this (négociant) offering; it is poised and powerful, with dark cherry and spice, finely etched tannins and a long finish. Far from discrete, at the bottom of the composition is etched the signature of the master. Drink 2018-2026.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
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£22.95
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£22.95
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£247.80
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£180.48
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Domaine Stephane Ogier,
Ready, but will improve,
Located on the plateau above Malleval, these vines are over 30 years old and the wine is rich, spicy and wonderfully harmonious, with notes of crushed rock and ripe blackberry informing the palate.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Stéphane has come a long way in the 12 years or so that I have known him: he now has two children, an enviable reputation and a construction project to the south of Ampuis which will result in a winery to rival that of Messrs Guigal. He has also been buying land, which is no mean feat in Côte Rôtie. The challenge of 2013 centred on the cool weather in the middle of the season. Very late green harvesting and then a rapid harvest before the rains in October were key. I recall visiting during the harvest and witnessing a maelstrom of carefully choreographed activity, if you will pardon the apparent contradiction. The effort has certainly paid off.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Stéphane has come a long way in the 12 years or so that I have known him: he now has two children, an enviable reputation and a construction project to the south of Ampuis which will result in a winery to rival that of Messrs Guigal. He has also been buying land, which is no mean feat in Côte Rôtie. The challenge of 2013 centred on the cool weather in the middle of the season. Very late green harvesting and then a rapid harvest before the rains in October were key. I recall visiting during the harvest and witnessing a maelstrom of carefully choreographed activity, if you will pardon the apparent contradiction. The effort has certainly paid off.
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£23.95
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£129.30
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£14.40
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£94.74
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Maison Nicolas Perrin,
Ready, but will keep,
Nicolas sources Syrah grapes from Tournon and Mauves in the South of the appellation and Chavanay and St Pierre-de-Boeuf a little further to the north. The assemblage is aged for 10 months in one and two year-old barrels. The 2012 has attractive red and black berried fruit at its core and a fine, nicely etched, gently peppery finish.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
It is heartening to see how Nicolas Jaboulet, one the gentlemen of the Rhône Valley, has re-emerged after the purchase of his eponymous company by the Fray family. Joining forces with the Perrins of Beaucastel has proved to be a very wise move, and as a result contracts have been drawn up with some excellent growers across the region, as our selection clearly demonstrates.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
It is heartening to see how Nicolas Jaboulet, one the gentlemen of the Rhône Valley, has re-emerged after the purchase of his eponymous company by the Fray family. Joining forces with the Perrins of Beaucastel has proved to be a very wise move, and as a result contracts have been drawn up with some excellent growers across the region, as our selection clearly demonstrates.
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£23.95
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£258.60
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Domaine Coursodon,
Ready, but will keep,
The red Silice is brought up half in demi-muid, half in barrique, and in 2014 is typically generous and approachable, with raspberry fruit to the fore, a floral elegance and no lack of the linearity of structure for which this appellation is so justly famed.
Drink now to 2020.
Simon Field MW – Wine Buyer
Drink now to 2020.
Simon Field MW – Wine Buyer
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£24.00
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£259.20
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£189.96
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Domaine Pierre-Jean Villa,
Ready, but will improve,
The Préface may be so named as it is an introduction to the range, and a very compelling introduction it is too. Totally de-stemmed Syrah from vines located mainly in Sarras, its fruit matured in demi-muid for a year, this is a rich and spicy wine, its tannins finely etched and its finish long and silky.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
The likeable former régisseur of Les Vins de Vienne is now established as a highly successful vigneron in his own right, his experience and commercial acumen playing no minor part, no doubt, in the acquisition of some prime vineyards, one of which, naturally enough, is located in Seyssuel, which is where Les Vins de Vienne made their name. He views 2012 as both more intense and more interesting than 2011, the tannic structure of the wines in particular underlining the superiority of the later vintage.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
The likeable former régisseur of Les Vins de Vienne is now established as a highly successful vigneron in his own right, his experience and commercial acumen playing no minor part, no doubt, in the acquisition of some prime vineyards, one of which, naturally enough, is located in Seyssuel, which is where Les Vins de Vienne made their name. He views 2012 as both more intense and more interesting than 2011, the tannic structure of the wines in particular underlining the superiority of the later vintage.
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£24.95
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£104.70
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Domaine Francois Villard,
Ready, but will keep,
The Reflet is sourced from decomposed granitic vineyards in parcels in the communes of Limony, St piere de Bœuf and Chavanay, that is to say the northern end of the appellation. With only 30% of the bunches destemmed, and an ageing of 50% in new barrique for eighteen months, the wine is supple and complex, with attractive currant leaf-aromas, chewy but elegant tannins and a quiet momentum on the finish.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
The loquacious François Villard is something of an instinctive winemaker. Sometimes his instincts take him down a cul-de-sac, but generally they demonstrate a clos affinity to his many and varied plots and projects. It is therefore not entirely inappropriate that he cites 2012 as a vintage of great purity and potential, but also one where there is a greater qualitative gap than sometimes between good and less good examples. We, unsurprisingly, have decided to buy the wines which fall into the former group.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
The loquacious François Villard is something of an instinctive winemaker. Sometimes his instincts take him down a cul-de-sac, but generally they demonstrate a clos affinity to his many and varied plots and projects. It is therefore not entirely inappropriate that he cites 2012 as a vintage of great purity and potential, but also one where there is a greater qualitative gap than sometimes between good and less good examples. We, unsurprisingly, have decided to buy the wines which fall into the former group.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£120.00
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Domaine Coursodon,
Drink now,
Domaine Coursodon has long been one of the leading St Joseph wine estates. The youthful but intelligent Jérôme Coursodon is keen to emphasise the individuality and personality of this appellation. In St Joseph the watchwords are elegance, aromatic refinement and poise on the palate. Jérôme fully subscribes to such attributes, crafting wines with class and perfect balance.
This is a very pure and honest expression of pure Marsanne, with no oak intervention and a relatively early bottling. A couple of years down the line and the zesty citric notes have taken on a rounder, softer texture with honeysuckle and even verbena in evidence. A pleasingly challenging bitter-sweet note tickles the back palate as it should always do with top-notch Marsanne.
This is a very pure and honest expression of pure Marsanne, with no oak intervention and a relatively early bottling. A couple of years down the line and the zesty citric notes have taken on a rounder, softer texture with honeysuckle and even verbena in evidence. A pleasingly challenging bitter-sweet note tickles the back palate as it should always do with top-notch Marsanne.
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£26.95
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£291.00
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 2cs
£216.48
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Domaine Du Tunnel,
Ready, but will keep,
Granite slopes behind the key villages of Mauves, Glun and Tournon are the source of this soft and supremely elegant St Joseph, which has been aged for 14 months in five- to six- year-old barrels. Cassis and sun-dried herbs inform the palate which is opulent yet impressively light on its feet.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
The news from Domaine du Tunnel is that the eponymous (disused railway) tunnel has almost been renovated by M Robert and will house a naturally cool—in both senses of the word—bottling cellar and tasting room, up in the hills above St Péray. This charming and very welcoming family continue to make great wines and were lucky enough to avoid hail in 2013; the resulting wines are excellent, with the whites boasting freshness and definition while the reds are pleasingly forward. Looking at the wines from barrel, the 2013 Saint Joseph has a terrific perfume of violets, wild herbs, spring flowers and pepper-laced purple fruits. It’s medium-bodied, supple and polished, with impressive purity. It has some tannin emerging on the finish, but I suspect these will fall away once in bottle. It should drink nicely for 4-6 years after release.
Jeb Dunnuck - Wine Advocate Issue#216 Dec 2014
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
The news from Domaine du Tunnel is that the eponymous (disused railway) tunnel has almost been renovated by M Robert and will house a naturally cool—in both senses of the word—bottling cellar and tasting room, up in the hills above St Péray. This charming and very welcoming family continue to make great wines and were lucky enough to avoid hail in 2013; the resulting wines are excellent, with the whites boasting freshness and definition while the reds are pleasingly forward. Looking at the wines from barrel, the 2013 Saint Joseph has a terrific perfume of violets, wild herbs, spring flowers and pepper-laced purple fruits. It’s medium-bodied, supple and polished, with impressive purity. It has some tannin emerging on the finish, but I suspect these will fall away once in bottle. It should drink nicely for 4-6 years after release.
Jeb Dunnuck - Wine Advocate Issue#216 Dec 2014
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 9cs
£122.46
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Domaine Francois Villard,
Ready, but will keep,
Vineyards in Chavanay and Sarras are the source of this excellent St Joseph. The grapes are completely destemmed and aged in 30 percent new wood for 18 months. Ripe red and black fruits provide an indulgent cocktail, with a pleasing peppery backdrop buttressed by finely poised tannins.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Irrepressibly cheerful as ever, François Villard shrugs at the 30 to 40 percent drop in yields in 2013, attributing the phenomenon to nature’s way of evening things out, a truism with which it is hard to argue. The slightly higher than normal levels of malic acid he sees as more relevant in terms of potential quality; once the malolactic fermentations were completed however, this problem redressed itself and wines of equilibrium and charm resulted. All things balance out in the end, it seems.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Irrepressibly cheerful as ever, François Villard shrugs at the 30 to 40 percent drop in yields in 2013, attributing the phenomenon to nature’s way of evening things out, a truism with which it is hard to argue. The slightly higher than normal levels of malic acid he sees as more relevant in terms of potential quality; once the malolactic fermentations were completed however, this problem redressed itself and wines of equilibrium and charm resulted. All things balance out in the end, it seems.
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£28.95
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£312.60
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Domaine Georges Vernay,
Ready, but will keep,
Christine Vernay is close to being a perfectionist, so close in fact that she is sometimes reluctant to taste wines that have not been bottled for fear either of the fact that the work in progress will inevitably differ to a greater or lesser degree from the finished article or that the sample will be poor. To my mind, however, it’s like looking at a work of art, a Holbein drawing say, and then the finished painting. Both are sublime and the appreciation of the former informs that of the later. So it is with these exceptional wines; for Christine 2012 is an improvement on 2011. It flatters but it does not deceive.
This St Joseph has a suitably inky colour and a deep reflective nose of violets, graphite and autumnal bonfires. Aged for a year in second- and third-fill barrique, the palate combines forward pleasingly ripe, dark fruit notes with an attractive, almost earthy austerity on the finish.
This St Joseph has a suitably inky colour and a deep reflective nose of violets, graphite and autumnal bonfires. Aged for a year in second- and third-fill barrique, the palate combines forward pleasingly ripe, dark fruit notes with an attractive, almost earthy austerity on the finish.
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£28.95
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£288.00
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Domaine Georges Vernay,
Ready, but will improve,
Christine proves once again that she is more than proficient with red as well as white grapes. The vines are located on the granitic slopes behind Chavanay in the north of the appellation. This 100 percent Syrah exhibits plenty of red fruit charm, but with polished, ‘proper’ tannins from one-year-old barriques, and a fresh, hedgerow character, with hints of crushed rock, bay leaf and sousbois on the finish.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Christine Vernay is pleased by the 2013s and has clearly relished the challenges of the vintage. The cold start allowed the vines to rest properly and it was therefore only reasonable that they had to work a little harder at the other end of the season, the longer growing cycle engendering complexity and finely defined acidity – the latter especially important with Viognier. No one makes better Viognier in the world, as these wines once again demonstrate.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Christine Vernay is pleased by the 2013s and has clearly relished the challenges of the vintage. The cold start allowed the vines to rest properly and it was therefore only reasonable that they had to work a little harder at the other end of the season, the longer growing cycle engendering complexity and finely defined acidity – the latter especially important with Viognier. No one makes better Viognier in the world, as these wines once again demonstrate.
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£29.95
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£288.72
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Domaine Pierre-Jean Villa,
Ready, but will keep,
The top cuvée from Villa’s stable, matured for 24 months in oak with some of it new; we have come to expect great things of this wine with each and every passing vintage. The nose is full of silky dark fruit, violets and schist whilst on the palate, the tannins and acidity combine with pleasing concentration to produce a wine with a sense of place as well as an air of refinement.
Nick Stewart, Wine Buying
The 2012 Saint Joseph Tilde (100% Syrah) is a modern style of Rhône wine, with a suave texture, medium-bodied richness and intense fruit flavours of blackberries, smoked cured meat and peppery nuances. Showing soft tannins and a good length on the finish, this solid effort will enjoy a decade of longevity and development.
Eva Polaki, Wine Team
Nick Stewart, Wine Buying
The 2012 Saint Joseph Tilde (100% Syrah) is a modern style of Rhône wine, with a suave texture, medium-bodied richness and intense fruit flavours of blackberries, smoked cured meat and peppery nuances. Showing soft tannins and a good length on the finish, this solid effort will enjoy a decade of longevity and development.
Eva Polaki, Wine Team
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£38.00
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£410.40
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£45.60
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£157.98
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Domaine Coursodon,
Ready, but will keep,
The Sensonne, matured in 100% new wood, has had a very successful outing in 2011; its heart of dark morello fruit and soft spice is in no way overwhelmed by the ambitious winemaking – quite the reverse.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Now respected as one of St Joseph’s top three growers, the naturally diffident Jérôme has acquired new confidence, and the wines return the compliment. The pedigree of their birth, that is to say the best, most precipitous, site in St Jean de Muzols, Tournon and Mauves, is now underlined by a suitably prestigious education, which is far from sentimental. For Jérôme, 2010 captures the best of 2006 and 2007, both of which have grown up very nicely indeed.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Now respected as one of St Joseph’s top three growers, the naturally diffident Jérôme has acquired new confidence, and the wines return the compliment. The pedigree of their birth, that is to say the best, most precipitous, site in St Jean de Muzols, Tournon and Mauves, is now underlined by a suitably prestigious education, which is far from sentimental. For Jérôme, 2010 captures the best of 2006 and 2007, both of which have grown up very nicely indeed.
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£39.95
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£431.40
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£48.00
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£166.74
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Domaine Coursodon,
Ready, but will improve,
100% de-stemming and only 10% new wood was used for the 2011; this is indicative of the pleasingly pragmatic philosophy employed here (2010 differed on both counts). The 85% granitic slopes have yielded a bright and finely textured wine with supple tannins, mirror-bright acidity and plenty of depth.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Now respected as one of St Joseph’s top three growers, the naturally diffident Jérôme has acquired new confidence, and the wines return the compliment. The pedigree of their birth, that is to say the best, most precipitous, site in St Jean de Muzols, Tournon and Mauves, is now underlined by a suitably prestigious education, which is far from sentimental. For Jérôme, 2010 captures the best of 2006 and 2007, both of which have grown up very nicely indeed.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Now respected as one of St Joseph’s top three growers, the naturally diffident Jérôme has acquired new confidence, and the wines return the compliment. The pedigree of their birth, that is to say the best, most precipitous, site in St Jean de Muzols, Tournon and Mauves, is now underlined by a suitably prestigious education, which is far from sentimental. For Jérôme, 2010 captures the best of 2006 and 2007, both of which have grown up very nicely indeed.
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£42.95
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£463.80
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£51.60
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£180.24
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Domaine Coursodon,
Ready, but will improve,
One-hundred percent de-stemming and with just under 10 percent of new wood, the 2014 is particularly successful. The 85 percent granitic slopes have yielded a bright and finely textured wine, with supple tannins, mirror-bright acidity and plenty of depth. The first four words to be etched into the tasting book were; “tobacco, smoke, violets” and “outstanding”.
Drink 2017-2022.
Simon Field MW – Wine Buyer
Drink 2017-2022.
Simon Field MW – Wine Buyer
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£43.00
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£232.20
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£25.80
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£180.48
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Domaine Coursodon,
Ready, but will improve,
These famous precipitous vines behind Mauves are over 80 years old. Once again the new oak employed is scant and the focus is on purity and generous primary fruit; in this case there is a velvety attack but with intimations of firm granite providing a solid backdrop. This is an impressive effort in a rather unusual vintage.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
This vintage was not without its challenges for Jérôme: frost in May, hail in July and very low, uneconomical yields. A very late harvest has produced wines with low pHs, relatively low alcohol and very subtle phenolics. He likens the style to some of the wines made by his father Pierre in the 1980s. In warm years his wines can be very (although not over) ripe, so this redressing of nature’s balance is actually quite welcome, as evidenced by the quality of the finished wines.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
This vintage was not without its challenges for Jérôme: frost in May, hail in July and very low, uneconomical yields. A very late harvest has produced wines with low pHs, relatively low alcohol and very subtle phenolics. He likens the style to some of the wines made by his father Pierre in the 1980s. In warm years his wines can be very (although not over) ripe, so this redressing of nature’s balance is actually quite welcome, as evidenced by the quality of the finished wines.
Bottle
£45.00
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£486.00
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£189.48
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Domaine Coursodon,
Ready, but will improve,
100% destemmed and picked relatively late, the Paradis coaxes complexity from the 80-year-old vines and uncompromising granitic soils. The emphasis on teroir is underlined by the fact that only 10% of the oak employed is new; the 2012 is engagingly complex.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Phlegmatic and industrious , Jérôme has worked his way to the top of the appellation, quite literally when he is working his precipitous Paradis St Pierre vineyard, magisterial and dressed in granite, high above the village of Mauves. In 2012 he was wary of rot during the humid spring, and then anxious about the ‘canicule’ in August. Ultimately he was happy and rates the vintage very highly, as do we.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Phlegmatic and industrious , Jérôme has worked his way to the top of the appellation, quite literally when he is working his precipitous Paradis St Pierre vineyard, magisterial and dressed in granite, high above the village of Mauves. In 2012 he was wary of rot during the humid spring, and then anxious about the ‘canicule’ in August. Ultimately he was happy and rates the vintage very highly, as do we.
Bottle
£45.00
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£486.00
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£54.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 24cs
£189.48
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Domaine Coursodon,
Drink now,
This is a fat, complex St Joseph with a floral and aromatically appealing nose. A wonderfully approachable offering from Domaine Coursodon that is rich in texture with sweet honey, waxy lemon, and whole nut characters through the long finish.
Laura Atkinson, Private Account Manager
The well-named Paradis lieu-dit is perched at the top of an exceedingly steep granite slope, not an ideal location for vertigo sufferers. The white is made from 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussane and sees 20% of new oak. Honey, lanolin and citric elegance inform the palate; this is every bit as good as the best whites from Hermitage, and will be in need of lobster, say, for accompaniment.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Now respected as one of St Joseph’s top three growers, the naturally diffident Jérôme has acquired new confidence, and the wines return the compliment. The pedigree of their birth, that is to say the best, most precipitous, site in St Jean de Muzols, Tournon and Mauves, is now underlined by a suitably prestigious education, which is far from sentimental. For Jérôme, 2010 captures the best of 2006 and 2007, both of which have grown up very nicely indeed.
Laura Atkinson, Private Account Manager
The well-named Paradis lieu-dit is perched at the top of an exceedingly steep granite slope, not an ideal location for vertigo sufferers. The white is made from 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussane and sees 20% of new oak. Honey, lanolin and citric elegance inform the palate; this is every bit as good as the best whites from Hermitage, and will be in need of lobster, say, for accompaniment.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Now respected as one of St Joseph’s top three growers, the naturally diffident Jérôme has acquired new confidence, and the wines return the compliment. The pedigree of their birth, that is to say the best, most precipitous, site in St Jean de Muzols, Tournon and Mauves, is now underlined by a suitably prestigious education, which is far from sentimental. For Jérôme, 2010 captures the best of 2006 and 2007, both of which have grown up very nicely indeed.
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Domaine Coursodon,
Ready, but will improve,
Paradise is never postponed with this outstanding wine, showing its pedigree from the outset and set to blossom with real panache. Dark chocolate, spice and liqueur de cassis from famously precipitous 85 year old vines. The grapes were 50% destemmed, such is Jérôme’s confidence in the vintage, and the wine will have had over 18 months in new barrique when bottled.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012
Jérôme Coursodon’s reputation continues to soar. Ideally placed vineyards and a perspective which inclines towards perfectionism have both helped him on his way. Add to that the extraordinary natural benevolence of the vintage, and his legacy seems secure. It is fantastic to see such a famous old estate performing so well.
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Domaine Pierre Gaillard,
Ready, but will keep,
The three hectare Cuminaille plot was the first to be cultivated by Pierre after leaving Guigal. He identified the merits of these granitic sandy slopes and has been proving the point ever since with an outstanding wine which is aged for 18 months in French barrel of which 40% is new. The result is for me an archetype of St Joseph, finely structured, with great freshness, ripe dark fruit and generous pepper and spice on the finish.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Pierre Gaillard’s bluff exterior belies one of the keenest and most highly-respected minds in the valley. His projects in Collioure, Banyuls, Faugères and closer to home, Seyssuel, are all highly successful, but the mother-ship remains the ever expanding winery high above the medieval village of Malleval. His 2012 wines merit praise for thier colour and ripeness of fruit; for Pierre there is less matière than 2009 or 2010 but more engaging elegance
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Pierre Gaillard’s bluff exterior belies one of the keenest and most highly-respected minds in the valley. His projects in Collioure, Banyuls, Faugères and closer to home, Seyssuel, are all highly successful, but the mother-ship remains the ever expanding winery high above the medieval village of Malleval. His 2012 wines merit praise for thier colour and ripeness of fruit; for Pierre there is less matière than 2009 or 2010 but more engaging elegance
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£120.00
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Maison Guigal,
Drink now,
The vines for this outstanding St Joseph climb up behind the town of Tournon and surround its ancient castle. The blend is 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne, and the blend has been aged in oak for 20 months. Rich with honey and hazelnut, and luxuriant of texture, this is a full-bodied example that will accompany the ‘meatier’ end of the fish spectrum with great felicity.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
The contribution of the Guigals to the reputation of the Rhône Valley should never be underestimated. Indeed, with the unpredictable genius of Messrs Chapoutier and the unpredictability full-stop of Messrs Jaboulet, the Guigals, père et fils, seem to provide a reassuring rock of certainty in the valley. The fact that they sell over six million bottles of their generic Côtes-du-Rhône is impressive indeed but should not distract us from the quality inherent in both these wines, from two of their own vineyards.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
The contribution of the Guigals to the reputation of the Rhône Valley should never be underestimated. Indeed, with the unpredictable genius of Messrs Chapoutier and the unpredictability full-stop of Messrs Jaboulet, the Guigals, père et fils, seem to provide a reassuring rock of certainty in the valley. The fact that they sell over six million bottles of their generic Côtes-du-Rhône is impressive indeed but should not distract us from the quality inherent in both these wines, from two of their own vineyards.
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Domaine Eric & Joel Durand,
Ready, but will keep,
From the slopes directly behind the village of Chateaubourg, this is a delicious Syrah; fresh, pure and expressive. Red berry fruits dominate, with hints of black pepper and blueberry adding resonance and texture.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
New to our En Primeur Offer, Domaine Durand has been ‘in my sights’ for several years. The engaging and highly competent brothers Joel and Eric are based in Chateaubourg just to the south of Mauves. They farm nine hectares of St Peray, seven in St Joseph and 19 in Cornas , where they belong firmly in the vanguard of the village’s much lauded jeunesse dorée….their philosophy favours later harvests, which , they advise with a smile, allows nature to ‘do more of the hard work’!
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£120.00
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Domaine Coursodon,
Drink now,
Jérôme makes wines which are both sensuous and cerebral; wines that are not afraid to be flamboyant and to emphasize fruit, yet which do not lack for a distinctive peppery charm and a real sense of place. The 2008 is particularly successful in this respect and will make a lovely addition to the table over the next five years. Drink 2010-2015.
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
£175.00
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Drink 2017-2021.
Simon Field MW – Wine Buyer