2010 St Joseph l'Olivaie

(20% new oak here): Inky violet color. Ripe black and blue fruits on the nose and palate, with intense licorice and violet pastille qualities adding complexity. Large-scaled and lively, showing impressive power and vivacity on the long, floral-dominated finish. Coursodon thinks that the tannins here will fade away fairly quickly.

60-year-old vines from St-Jean de Muzols, 20% new demi muids. Still very introvert. Dusty and dry on the end. Needs time. (JR)

The fabulous 2010 St.-Joseph l’Olivaie reveals no oak in its concentrated, rich, supple personality. With full body and explosive aromatics (creme de cassis, black currants, kirsch liqueur, lavender, spice box and forest floor), this delicious 2010 can be drunk now or cellared for 15 years. ||The tall, competent Jerome Coursodon is the fifth generation of his family to exploit the hillside vineyards of St.-Joseph. They began producing wines in the 19th century, becoming well-known in French wine circles in the 1930s. The majority of their vineyard holdings are on the hillsides above the village of Mauves, where the well-known Chave family has been making wines since 1472. The Coursodons also own parcels situated further north, above Tournon and in the most northerly sector of the appellation, St.-Jean de Muzols. By the way, if you see any of the four 2009 cuvees on your retailer’s shelf, snap them up as they are magnificent wines. Those wines have serious rivals in both 2010 and 2011. Wine Advocate.December, 2012