2012 St Joseph

Deep ruby. Potent, mineral-laced blackberry and cherry liqueur aromas are complicated by a suave floral nuance, picking up a white pepper quality with air. Seamless and appealingly sweet, offering energetic dark berry and spicecake flavors and a touch of smokiness. Closes lively and precise, with slow-building tannins and a jolt of bitter cherry. This bottling always punches well above its weight and is very close in character and quality to Faurie's Hermitages. It also delivers superb value, assuming that you can find it.