VERY LIMITED
Varietal: Syrah
93 Points Decanter
A tasting of the various constituent lieux-dits revealed that the Bachesson parcel had a peppery side and its characteristic rose scent, and an unmistakably granitic texture. The Chalaix lieu-dit was precise, fine, with no huge concentration but good balance. Lieu-dit Dardouille was looking promising, with good weight and length. The finished blend of the domaine’s St-Joseph is likely to be neat, precise and fresh, with a distinct mineral side, one to drink relatively young. There will be no separate bottling of Clos Florentin this year due to frost.
92 Points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021s here are certainly strong wines in the vintage. The 2021 Saint Joseph is a healthy dense ruby/purple hue and offers textbook Saint Joseph aromas and flavors of black fruit (there's a hint of red fruit as well), graphite, ground pepper, and some meaty, bloody nuances. Medium-bodied, it has beautiful tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. It's one of the rare 2021s that really needs a few years of bottle age. Due to the devastating frost, no Clos Florentin will be produced in 2021.
Winemaker Notes
The Chave's methods for all their winemaking are traditional farming, super low yields, full ripeness, and minimal manipulation. Their unmatched meticulousness continues through five centuries to render venerable expressions of the purest of Rhône terroir.