M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Le Clos 2019

More elegant, the 2019 Saint Joseph Le Clos has an incredibly granite nose of cassis, leather, ground pepper, and powdered rock. Tasting like a Hermitage from Bessards, it’s medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, fine tannins, and a seamless mouthfeel. I suspect the acidity is quite low, but this has a great sense of freshness as well as length.

From east-facing vines that were planted at the end of the 1990s, Chapoutier's 2019 Saint-Joseph Le Clos offers up scents of crushed stone, blackberries, cassis and hints of scorched coffee. Full-bodied, concentrated and rich, it's dense, creamy textured and plush on the mid-palate, finishing long and velvety. I suspect I may be underestimating it.

Slightly wild in the nose, but in a very exciting way, this is a deep and complex St.-Joseph. Powerful and meaty with a serious tannin structure that will enable it to age for many years. Forest-floor character emerges as it aerates. Very concentrated and firm finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.