2022 St Joseph

Coming from a mix of lieux-dits in the northern part of the appellation, the 2022 Saint Joseph is 100% Syrah brought up 18 months in 10-15% new barrels. Ripe red and black cherries, leafy herbs, licorice, and scorched earth emerge from this concentrated, dense, and balanced Saint Joseph. It shows the sun-kissed style of the vintage and brings ripe, integrated tannins. Drink 2025-2040. Unquestionably, some of my favorite Condrieu and Saint Joseph continues to come from this tiny estate located just off route N7, south of Condrieu. The lineup includes three Condrieu cuvées, all made from Viognier planted on steep, granite-rich slopes. The base cuvée is always worth a case purchase, while Chéry and Clos Chanson come from older vines and bring more richness and complexity. The flagship Chéry comes from 50-year-old vines and is aged in a mix of stainless steel and oak, with 10-20% new wood. And while the Condrieu get most of the attention (and deservedly so), the Saint Joseph Blanc is terrific as well. As to the reds, the classic Saint Joseph comes from northern sites in the appellation, is destemmed, and aged in roughly 20% new 400-liter barrels. In top vintages, they also make a Les Grisières bottling from old vines, with a slightly longer élevage in 30% new oak. These are serious, age-worthy reds that can easily pass for Côte Rôtie in blind tastings. While André remains actively involved, he's now joined by his daughter Marie, who returned to the domaine in 2019 after working in California and Chile. As I've written many times, Rhône lovers need to have these wines in their cellars. For years, I would finish every Northern Rhône trip with lunch at Le Dôme in Paris and a bottle of Perret's Condrieu on the table.