Saint-Joseph

L’Olivaie is the branded name given to the fruits of magnificent 60-year-old vines located at St Jean de Muzols at the northern edge of the so-called cradle of St Joseph. Having enjoyed an upbringing in 25 percent new wood, with the balance shared between barrel and demi-muid, the 2016 has blacker fruits than Silice, but the integrated yet ripe tannin profile is very much le style de la maison. It may not completely work in translation but Jérôme describes this one as jovial. A bringer of joy, certainly. Drink 2021-2025.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

One of the top whites in the appellation, Guigal’s 2013 Saint Joseph Lieu Dit Saint Joseph Blanc comes from the pure granite soils of the namesake vineyard of the appellation and is a blend of 93% Marsanne and 7% Roussanne. It was aged in slightly less new oak in 2013 (prior vintages saw 100% new) with the goal to make it more approachable on release. Now aged 12 months in two-thirds new and one-third 2-year-old barrels, it sports a medium-gold color to go with sensational notes of crème brulee, caramelized peach, toast and almond paste, with additional minerality emerging on the palate. Full-bodied, rich and textured, it's a serious Saint Joseph Blanc that will stand toe-to-toe with some top white Hermitage. Drink it over the coming decade or more.
Jeb Dunnuck - Wine Advocate Issue#216 Dec 2014 The St Joseph lieu-dit within the greater appellation is located directly behind the ancient château of Tournon, its steeply terraced vines providing a scenic backdrop for this old Ardèche monument. The blend is weighted 95 percent Marsanne to five percent Roussanne and aged for a year in new barrels. The wine has classic Marsanne descriptors of flowers, smoke and roasted almond, happily transferred to the palate which is generously textured, finely structured and agreeably long.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer

The Guigal dynasty continues to lead the way in the valley-north and south-with some lines made in huge volumes, others pitifully scarce; some at entry price points, some frighteningly expensive. Quality seems to underwrite the entire range, however, much to the credit of all concerned, and these two white wines illustrate this point brilliantly.

LOlivaie is now gaining a reputation which, in the early days, proved difficult as the middle child of three. Sourced from older vines directly behind the town of Tournon, the 2009 impresses with its savoury complexity, smoky subtext and assertive finish.

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. 

This aristocratic Rhône producer owns plots of the highest pedigree all over in the Rhône – St Joseph has not escaped his radar. The Chapoutier vineyards lie on the hill above Tournon, the village across the Rhône river from Tain, and are almost as steep as Hermitage itself. These are small plots of 2.4 and 2.3 hectares of 60-80 year old vines of Syrah and 60+ year old vines of Marsanne from which the Les Granits Rouge and Blanc are respectively coaxed.
Eva Polaki, Wine Team

One of the newest members of this aristocratic family, Les Granits Blanc is a floral, aromatic and spicy Marsanne with a long lobster-friendly finish.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer 

Surely the most lauded vinous portfolio in the Rhône, the Parcellaires make up a definitive statement of terroir, the majority of which is located in the tiny appellation of Hermitage. Volumes are appropriately modest.

We especially liked L’Amarybelle this year; the organic rigour of the tending of its vines echoed in the glass with a rare purity and no lack of charm. Dark fruits and soft spices are buttressed by finely etched tannins and crisp acidity. Hints of eucalypt and mint at the back of the palate enhance the wine yet further.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer

Dynamic and energetic, Yves sometimes gives the impression of trying too hard: there is so much activity and so many wines, why can’t the message be clearer? Well, my message is clear and it underlines the overall quality of the range, proved once again by a recent (late 2014) Decanter tasting which put M Cuilleron's Côte Rôtie on its own at the very top of the tree. Pragmatism over the hot topic of destemming and a general inclination to harvest late are cited as two cornerstones of the Cuilleron philosophy. Yves praises the equilibrium of his 2013 whites, and is pleased with both the colour and the tannic structure of his reds.

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

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.

Behind the castle at Tournon there is actually a lieu-dit also called St Joseph, so good, clearly, that they named it twice. The wine is aged in new oak and contains 93% Marsanne and 7% Roussanne. Unctuous, viscous and broadly textured the 2012 combines exotic fruits, pineapple and honeydew melon among them) with creamy oak. It will probably sulk for a couple of years before re-emerging, rich and resplendent
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer

The influence and quiet authority of the Guigals is one of the key factors of the reputation and status of the Valley as a whole. From the micro-production of the so-called La-La Côte Rôties all the way up (or down) to the voluminous Côtes-du- Rhône the quality is impressive, sometime far more than that. Leaving aside the dubious architectural merit of their folie de grandeur, Château Ampuis, with its turreted incongruences and gilded fittings, the status of Marcel and Philippe as winemakers and ambassadors have never been in any doubt.

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’!

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

A broad seductive graphite nose provides the overture to a very serious (Syrah-ious maybe...?), synaesthetic, symphony of colour and restraint like a Turner sea-scape. This is farmed on impossibly steep slopes behind Mauves, where eponymous granite underwrites the vines, and their progeny, with artistic rigour. Drink 2019-2024.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

St Joseph is very close to Jean-Louis’ heart; the Syrah from these south-east-facing granitic hills is a grape “qui Pinote”, by which he means a grape which assumes the aromatic complexity and silky texture of a fine Burgundy. The Offerus is made from vines in Mauves and St-Jean-de Muzols. Its fruit not entirely de-stemmed, which lends extra grip to the notes of crushed raspberry, cassis and tapenade. Drink 2019-2024.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

“Serine” is the local name for the Syrah grape. This St Joseph is very dark in colour with a purple tint, while the nose is smoky with black pepper and bramble fruit. The palate has a concentrated core of dark berry fruit and the wine is well-structured, with a full body and firm tannins. The long finish benefits from a pleasant floral lift. Drink 2020-2027.
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant

The Silice displays a very pretty Syrah profile with bright red-berry fruits and red liquorice spice. Floral and linear in profile, the absence of any new oak makes the primary fruit the focus. The tannins are carefully managed with a juiciness and subtlety to them that mirrors the texture of the palate. Drink now to 2023.

This cuvee comes from the Cuminaille vineyard that Pierre planted in 1981 and is today regarded as one of the most notable wines produced in the region. Bright, deep ruby in colour, it offers aromas of blackberry, black cherry and pepper. Liquorice and rosemary notes combine with black olives and fennel. It is very accessible, yet the wine’s mineral core defines it. Drink now to 2030.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer

This is a blend of a handful of villages within the St Joseph appellation. The whole-bunch fermentation is evident in the wine’s floral perfume, with a crunchy and firm tannin profile. Meaty, spicy and savoury notes are juxtaposed with dense fruit – cherries, cranberries and brambles. There’s plenty of crisp acidity and a mineral core. Drink now to 2025.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer

This cuvee is mainly matured in concrete vats, with only 30% of the wine seeing oak. This brings a real focus on the purity of fruit. The nose is dark and dense with lots of blackberry fruit. A good mineral streak runs through the palate which is well-structured with firm tannins. Drink 2020-2025.
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant

The nose is floral and spicy with honey, hawthorn and beeswax notes, and the tropical aromas kept in check for this 100% Roussanne St Joseph Blanc. The slightly glycerol, oily texture contrasts well with grapefruit-pith acidity. Verbena and camomile hints add complex layers. Drink now to 2025.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer

The Silice displays a very pretty Syrah profile with bright red-berry fruits and red liquorice spice. Floral and linear in profile, the absence of any new oak makes the primary fruit the focus. The tannins are carefully managed with a juiciness and subtlety to them that mirrors the texture of the palate. Drink now to 2023.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer