| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Northern Rhône > Saint-Joseph |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Etienne Guigal
The most impressive vintage of this wine I can recall tasting, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice is an awesome Saint-Joseph. Visitors to the region can easily spot the steep vineyard just above the town of Tournon when looking across the Rhône from Tain l'Hermitage. Aged in 100% new oak, the wine still shows hints of cedar and vanilla on the nose but also notes of crushed stone and black cherries. It's full-bodied but kept in check by a touch of granite-like austerity that gives the palate shape and length, while the firm tannins glide away in a silky wash on the finish. Almost approachable now, I suspect it will drink well through at least 2035.
I was able to taste three vintages of the Vignes de Hospice. This cuvée comes from a cooler, east-facing, incredibly gorgeous vineyard located just above the town of Tournon. The soils here are pure broken granite and are just about identical to what’s found in the Bessards lieu-dit on Hermitage hill. The 2015 Saint Joseph Vignes Des Hospices tastes like a Hermitage with its awesome cassis fruits and huge minerality. It shows more meatiness as well as subtle background oak with air, is full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and concentrated. This is pure granite goodness that needs 3-4 years or bottle age.
Smoky nose. At the moment a little less glamorous than the Lieu-Dit. More sinewy and classic. Should age well though.
Remarkable for its depth and density, the 2015 St Joseph Vignes des Hospices comes from the incredibly picturesque hillside vineyard perched just behind the village of Tournon. Its inky purple color is followed by a killer nose of wet granite, black currants, cassis and crushed herbs. It has sweet, yet present tannin, integrated acidity and a huge texture that will allow it to offer pleasure after short-term cellaring.
Still aging in 100% new oak, the 2015 Saint Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice is rich and concentrated, piled high with blackberries and mulberries, yet savory, with a black olive component as well. It’s full-bodied, layered and complex, with a long, velvety finish. It should prove long-lived for a Saint Joseph. Drink Date 2022 - 2040
