Coursodon

The tall, competent Jerome Coursodon is the fifth generation of his family to exploit the hillside vineyards of St.-Joseph. They began producing wines in the 19th century, becoming well-known in French wine circles in the 1930s. The majority of their vineyard holdings are on the hillsides above the village of Mauves, where the well-known Chave family has been making wines since 1472. The Coursodons also own parcels situated further north, above Tournon and in the most northerly sector of the appellation, St.-Jean de Muzols. By the way, if you see any of the four 2009 cuvees on your retailer’s shelf, snap them up as they are magnificent wines. Those wines have serious rivals in both 2010 and 2011. ROBERT PARKER

A long-established family domaine in the prime southern Saint-Joseph village of Mauves. An important address. The vIneyards are spread across good sites. LIVINGSTONE-LEARMONTH

This has long been one of the leading lights of St Joseph and the wines have a huge, almost cult like, following in France among restauranteurs and collectors alike. Based in the important village of Mauves with vines averaging 50+ years and located on the steep, granite laden slopes of the town. Jerome Coursodon and his team work these prodigiously steep, rocky, challenging faces and old vines to grow some of the Rhone’s most elegant, perfumed and attractive reds.
Because the old vine Syrah here is what has made this estate famous it is very easy to overlook their brilliant white. A 100% Marsanne that is aged in a blend of stainless steel and concrete the Silice Blanc will give most Northern Rhone whites a very serious run for their money with its textural, fleshy, rich and powerful frame and paradoxically bracing acidity and lively palate. ROSCOE