E. Guigal
Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph Syrah
St. Joseph, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
My second time trying this ‘Lieu-Dit’ Saint-Joseph bottling by northern Rhône powerhouse Guigal, from the exceptional 2015 vintage. It is a better wine than it was in August last year (at which point it was a little closed down). Frankly, it is a brilliant wine from this lesser appellation that, in short, is a full-blooded expression of Syrah with bags of intent.
Intense aromatics, a medley of plum, hoisin, fig compote, leather and black pepper. The palate is incredibly rich and saturated, packed full of blackberry, cranberry, an umami quality, jamon iberico and aged beef. Tannins and acidity are both high but are perfectly poised in harmony with the fruit. The finish is impressively long, and moreish. In a terrific spot now at five years but this should continue to sing in a decade. Really a thoroughly enjoyable northern Rhône.
My second time trying this ‘Lieu-Dit’ Saint-Joseph bottling by northern Rhône powerhouse Guigal, from the exceptional 2015 vintage. It is a better wine than it was in August last year (at which point it was a little closed down). Frankly, it is a brilliant wine from this lesser appellation that, in short, is a full-blooded expression of Syrah with bags of intent.
Intense aromatics, a medley of plum, hoisin, fig compote, leather and black pepper. The palate is incredibly rich and saturated, packed full of blackberry, cranberry, an umami quality, jamon iberico and aged beef. Tannins and acidity are both high but are perfectly poised in harmony with the fruit. The finish is impressively long, and moreish. In a terrific spot now at five years but this should continue to sing in a decade. Really a thoroughly enjoyable northern Rhône.
First of a case of this Guigal St. Joseph ‘Lieu-dit’ 2015 that I recently bought. I knew this would appear youthful, but my god is it so. I’ve experienced this austere, closed-down nature with young Bordeaux before but never Rhône. This is a superb wine in the making, phenomenal in its presence on the palate, less so on the nose at this stage. A formidable amount of tannin, acidity and fruit with a lasting finish. 92 points is duly conservative for now, but I shall leave my next encounter with this wine for another few years and expect this score to increase.
Enjoyed of an evening with the old man. Food pairing was lamb shoulder, followed later by black bomber cheese that - worthy of note - was superb with this wine.
First of a case of this Guigal St. Joseph ‘Lieu-dit’ 2015 that I recently bought. I knew this would appear youthful, but my god is it so. I’ve experienced this austere, closed-down nature with young Bordeaux before but never Rhône. This is a superb wine in the making, phenomenal in its presence on the palate, less so on the nose at this stage. A formidable amount of tannin, acidity and fruit with a lasting finish. 92 points is duly conservative for now, but I shall leave my next encounter with this wine for another few years and expect this score to increase.
Enjoyed of an evening with the old man. Food pairing was lamb shoulder, followed later by black bomber cheese that - worthy of note - was superb with this wine.
Mi paladar no tiene mucha experiencia con vinos de esta área, Syrah para mi es como tomar el toro por los cuernos, un vino espectacular!
Mi paladar no tiene mucha experiencia con vinos de esta área, Syrah para mi es como tomar el toro por los cuernos, un vino espectacular!
Nov 1st, 2018
Owner of the girl & the fig, the fig cafe & winebar, Author of Plats du Jours, the girl & the fig's Journey through the Seasons in Wine Country and the girl & the fig Cookbook
Gorgeous
Gorgeous
Apr 28th, 2018
Dark Cherries, licorice, smoke, game, pepper. Really nice.
Dark Cherries, licorice, smoke, game, pepper. Really nice.
Oct 10th, 2017
This vintage has reached its optimum drinking time in my opinion - I can't imagine it getting any better. Super creamy, dusty raspberry with a little vanilla. So delicious. Very well done @Philippe Guigal
This vintage has reached its optimum drinking time in my opinion - I can't imagine it getting any better. Super creamy, dusty raspberry with a little vanilla. So delicious. Very well done @Philippe Guigal
1 person found it helpfulMar 5th, 2016
Damn. So savory, beautiful spice, opulent fruit, lush, playful.
Damn. So savory, beautiful spice, opulent fruit, lush, playful.
Jan 16th, 2016
Fresh and not as oily or oaky as Id have guessed.
Fresh and not as oily or oaky as Id have guessed.
Oct 9th, 2015
Very surprising wine. Not usually a huge fan of saint joseph but this was very nice
Very surprising wine. Not usually a huge fan of saint joseph but this was very nice
Sep 19th, 2015