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Strange and paradoxical… This vintage has reserved us quite a few surprises, and
still raises questions. Although described as « Great » by some Vignerons, its strong
heterogeneity, depending on the sectors, imposes us to be attentive, measured, though hopeful.
2018 : the vegetative cycle is early. Spring sees generous rains and heat strokes
alternate. According to “Elders”, from memory one has to get back to the 60’ to observe such pressure of diseases in the vineyard. And, unfortunately for some Domaines, the processing windows would, in the main, only open at the week-ends… The vintage therefore promises to be technically complicated, demanding meticulous, tedious, even relentless work, in the vineyards. Damage and losses vary… but yields on Grenache are historically low… Providentially, once again, we could count on Mother Nature’s final “nudge” ! Without hesitation we can assert that the quality of the remaining grapes, the quality of their juice, is mainly due to a brilliant month of September.
Indeed, the weather conditions during the harvest were almost perfect. Cool but sunny weather, with well-marked, valued, thermal amplitudes… The Vigneron was able to choose in all serenity the ideal moment to harvest, plot of land by plot of land, without having to operate any constrained arbitration…
La Madonne sur Chavanay, Sainte-Epine sur St-Jean de Muzols, les Oliviers sur Mauves, Les Oliviers, Paradis sur Mauves, Chanson sur Chavannay
Ageing12 months in new and one old barrels.
Then 8 months in foudre - Tronçais and Allier
1/2 not destemmed
Expressive, mineral, smooth. A Wine of great distinction, which enjoys a perfect ba-lance, North-South balance… within the Appellation (which spreads on some fifty kilometers) !
13
BottlingNo fining, no filtration
CépagesSyrah, Serine : 100 %
More violets, bacon fat, olive tapenade, and pepper notes emerge from the 2018 Saint Joseph Vieilles Vignes, which has a core of blue/purple fruit, medium body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Coming from a handful of terrific sites (St. Epine, Le Paradis, and Les Oliviers to name a few), this balanced, elegant Saint Joseph will drink well for 10-15 years.
Jeb Dunnuck
, 90-92/100
, 2019-08-16
Purplish crimson. Meaty, leathery nose and real structure but a bit of oak still evident. A tad gratuitously 'modern' with a salty overlay on glossy fruit.
Jancis Robinson
, 16/20
, 2019-11-11
A sleek style, with racy acidity nicely imbedded into the core of warm cassis, plum paste and cherry reduction flavors. A light mineral edge adds a mouthwatering aspect to the finish, where anise and !oral hints check in.
Wine Spectator
, 93/100
, 2021-06-16
Wine Enthusiast
, 92/100
, 2021-01-11