Domaine Bernard Gripa Saint-Joseph Rouge 2019
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Jeb Dunnuck
The base 2019 Saint Joseph is terrific stuff, and I’d love to have case in the cellar. Medium to full-bodied, pure, and elegant, it’s not a blockbuster and leans on its purity, perfect balance, and silky tannins. All Syrah from steep, granite slopes around Mauves and Tournon that was partially destemmed and aged in a mix of barrels, it makes the most of this great vintage and can be enjoyed any time over the coming 10-15 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Lavished in vanilla, the creamy, hedonistic 2019 Saint Joseph layers that with ripe cherries to make a delectable, easy-drinking wine. It's medium to full-bodied, lush and rich, with a long, velvety finish. I realize the oak may put off some traditionalists, but this appears to have excellent underlying material and is worth following.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Spanning the longest stretch of river in the northern Rhône—from Condrieu in the north, to Cornas in the south—the heart of St.-Joseph lies directly across the Rhône River from Hermitage. While its soils are basically the same as Hermitage: granite, supplemented by sand and gravel, its east facing slope receives less sunlight than Hermitage, which causes less overall berry ripening on its Syrah vines. However, some of the best of them can rival any fine expression of Hermitage, Cote-Rotie or Cornas with concentrated black fruits, dark spices, crushed rock and violets. A general advantage of the region is that its Syrahs typically don’t need as much time in the bottle compared to a Cote-Rotie or Hermitage and are much easier on the bank account!
A textbook St.-Joseph red is firm with a core of minerality that is enhanced by savory and peppery qualities. Aromas and flavors of smoke, olives, herbs, and violets are common; its wines are dense in red and black fruit.
St.-Joseph is also a source of fine northern Rhône white wine. Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne grow well here and can be blended or made into single varietal wines. St.-Joseph whites are full and silky with citrus, pear and pineapple flavors and a rich bouquet reminiscent of honeysuckle, toasted nuts, spice and caramel.