Region | |
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Subregion | France > Rhône > Northern Rhône > Saint-Joseph |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Maison M. Chapoutier
A more reductive, meaty, backward effort than normal, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Granits is all Syrah that comes from unquestionably one of the top terroirs in Saint-Joseph. It was vinified in concrete tanks and aged in a mix of barrels and demi-muids, 20% being new. It blossoms with air and reveals an almost Hermitage-like class and minerality, with killer crème de cassis and black raspberry fruits supported by loads of smoked game, saddle leather, crushed stone, barbecue smoke, garrigue, and violet-like aromas and flavors. Just incredible on the palate as well, with medium to full-bodied richness, awesome tannins, and a liquid rock-like minerality, this tour de force from Saint-Joseph ranks with the finest vintage of this cuvée ever made and matches the 2015, although it shows a very different style. It should be snatched up by readers. It will need 3-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly over the following 20 years or more.
Deep ruby-purple in colour. Fleshy, brambly fruit with a hint of blueberry and dried flowers on the nose. This is aromatic, intense and powerful. The palate follows, sweet blue fruit bursts forth with a heady hit of violet and a grind of black peppercorns. This is mineral and dense yet succulent and ripe. The tannins are bold and full, bringing a firm backbone and savoury edge to the fruit. This has real drive and depth, with a long, ripe finish. This deserves a few years in bottle to allow the tannins to integrate and the fruit to gain a more savoury edge. Superb, with real ageing potential.
The 2018 Saint-Joseph Les Granits is just about always one of the top wines from this appellation. It comes from a single, south-facing hillside vineyard located just south of Tournon, in the southern part of the appellation. It's deeply colored and has a powerful, full-bodied style that shows the vintage beautifully. Blackcurrants, blackberries, spice-box, saddle leather, and garrigue notes all give way to a powerful, opulent Saint Joseph that has ripe tannins, loads of fruit, and a great finish.