Hillside Syrah: Exploring Crozes-Hermitage & Saint-Joseph

Made from 100% Syrah and aged 14 months in third- and fourth-fill barrels, the 2022 Saint Joseph shows pure black raspberries, cassis, flowers, spice, and crushed stone aromatics… the balance is flawless, with fine tannins and outstanding length. A gorgeous wine, it will drink nicely for a decade. Drink 2025-2035. JEB DUNNUCK

A juicy, precise and well-driven red with notes of dark cherries, blueberries, wild herbs and mixed spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy at the center with plenty of crushed cherry character and a vivid core of peppercorns bringing good energy and verve. Focused finish with a spicy kick JAMES SUCKLING

Made from grapes grown on vines with an average age of 40 years from the villages of Tournon-sur-Rhône, Mauves and Glun, the 2022 Saint-Joseph offers riper fruit and more structure than the 2021. Vivid red and black cherry, violets and leafy subtleties rise up from the glass. Medium-bodied, polished and concentrated, the 2022 should come together nicely. VINOUS MEDIA

The medium-bodied 2022 Saint-Joseph Silice is laced with ripe blackberry, black cherry, crushed violets and delicate cedar. Elegant and refreshing, it offers a juicy mouthful of classic Rhône Valley Syrah. Ripe and polished tannins lend gentle structure to this open-knit 2022. NICOLAS GREUNACHER

The 2022 Saint-Joseph L'Olivaie originates from up to 80-year-old vines in the lieu-dit of the same name. Black cherry, blueberry, pencil shavings and discrete cedar elements are all pushed forward. Medium-bodied and juicy, the 2022 is shaping up to be an excellent, structured Saint-Joseph with the potential for extended bottle-aging. NICHOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous
 
A pure, perfumed wine, the 2022 Saint Joseph l'Olivaie reveals aromas of plums, dark berries and dark cherries mingled with lovely menthol notes. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textured, it's seamless with a fleshy core of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, dark berry-inflected finish. Destemmed, it's matured for 15 months in barrels, of which 15% were new. YOHAN CASTAING, The Real Review

A lively, precise and textural Crozes-Hermitage with aromas of dark cherries, black pepper, purple flowers and a touch of roasted meat. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Refined and agile, with a succulent finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. JAMES SUCKLING

Vinified from certified organic grapes, the strait-laced 2023 Crozes-Hermitage checks in at 13% alcohol. Spice box, blackberry and cedar notes are all amplified here, complemented by a citric flicker of grapefruit. Medium-bodied and concentrated, the tasty 2023 hits the palate with lovely intensity and checks out with staying power on the precise finish. NICHOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

A fresh burst of melon, star fruit and dried apricot merges with a firming salt and mineral layer that supports the creamy, juicy palate. Dried herbs and grass play out on the succulent finish, which shows good length and energy. Marsanne and Roussanne. KRISTEN BIELER, winespectator.com

2022 dark red; plum fruit, rose-floral airs, a nose with a genuine N Rhône Syrah aroma. The palate is well made, fits well together, has a flavour of intense red berry, raspberry coulis, red fruit gums, cooked fruits, has sure length, late salting. It actually gains reduction after 90 minutes! JOHN LIVINGSTONE-LEARNMONTH


The Albéric Red Crozes-Hermitage comes from old vines, approximately 70 years old, from three parcels on red clay soils close to the famed Hill of Hermitage. The fruit is de-stemmed and crushed to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation over about 20 days. Extraction is by both remontage (pumping over) and pipeage (plunging) depending on the vintage and character of the fruit. Towards the end of ferment the wine is racked to oak barrels (30 % new) for the malolactic conversion, followed by 12-14 months maturation.

 

Lots of red plums, darker cherries, violets, and peppery, lavender, and gamey notes emerge from the 2022 Crozes-Hermitage Étincelle, a medium-bodied, balanced, elegant Crozes-Hermitage that has fine tannins and a good spine of acidity. It's going to drink nicely on release yet evolve for 7-8 years. JEB DUNNUCK

Denis Basset's first release under his own label was in 2007. The Domaine was born out of vineyards owned by Denis' father who sold his grapes to the Tain Co-operative. The Domaine has 15 hectares over Crozes-Hermitage and St-Joseph dedicated to Syrah with some Marsanne and Roussanne. The vineyards are farmed organically, manual harvest, ferments are in stainless steel without stems and élevage takes place in oak casks, the new population is maintained at 15%.

Lively aromas of fresh black/blue fruits, olive and pungent flowers are complemented by a building mineral quality. Incisive boysenberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors stain the palate and become sweeter and deeper with air. Rich but well-balanced and energetic, finishing with sharp detail and a lingering floral note shaped by smooth tannins. Aged in a mix of concrete tanks and oak barrels. JOSH RAYNOLDS, Vinous

Domaine Saint Clair, located in Beaumont-Monteux in the Northern Rhône Valley, is a 15-20 hectare family estate founded by Denis Basset in 2007. Known for producing organic, terroir-driven Syrah, the domaine produces both Crozes and Saint-Joseph wtih the latter vineyards on steep granite terraces. Certified organic, hand-harvested (largely), and focused on pure fruit expression with elegant, supple tannins.

Leading off the reds, the 2023 Crozes-Hermitage Silene reveals a terrific bouquet of red and black fruits, gamy herbs, violets, and pepper. Medium-bodied, juicy, and nicely textured on the palate, it has solid minerality and a darker, earthy, granitic character that almost reminds me of a Saint Joseph. This rock-solid effort will drink nicely for 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2033. JEB DUNNUCK

The 2022 Saint-Joseph Blanc Lieu-Dit outperforms the 2020 and 2021. Fragrant spring blossom, white peach, yellow apple and lemon flesh are framed by a light touch of oak. Hitting the palate with solid flavor concentration neatly balanced by fresh acidity, the 2022 Saint-Joseph Blanc Lieu-Dit ends with persistence on the elegant finish. NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

Just bottled prior to this tasting and brought up in 50% new oak, the 2022 Saint Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint Joseph Blanc has a ripe, medium to full-bodied, concentrated profile that has so much to love. Grilled peach, toasted almonds, and orange marmalade are just some of its nuances, and this beauty has ample mid-palate depth, beautiful balance, and a great finish. (95) JEB DUNNUCK

A very meaty nose of darker berries, classic Syrah gaminess, and pepper notes defines the 2024 Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers, another classic Syrah from this team. It's medium-bodied and charming, with a layered mouthfeel, solid density and depth, and nicely balanced structure. This well-made Crozes certainly does well in a more challenging vintage. JEB DUNNUCK

Bottled in the spring of 2024 and crafted from 15-year-old vines, the 2022 Saint-Joseph Les Cotes displays a smoky, slightly reduced bouquet featuring dark cherries, violets and dark wild berries. Medium to full-bodied and sweet on entry with a layered, textured palate, it has good depth at the core, a fleshy structure despite a structuring chassis and velvety tannins, concluding with an ethereal, fresh and dark berries-inflected finish. Originating from a parcel in the commune of Mauves, this Cornas is exquisite yet a bit austere; however, additional time in the bottle should help to mellow its edges. YOHAN CASTAING, The Wine Advocate

The 2022 Saint-Joseph Les Côtes features red cherry, violet, blackberry and cedar tones. Medium-bodied and super elegant, it’s well-rounded and delicious with a refined finish. NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

100% whole bunch. Fermentation in stainless steel then ageing for 18 months in barrels (5% new). Cask sample. Tasted blind. A slight perfumed note with violet and balsamic notes. Firm tannins on the mid palate and fresh acidity beneath. There is a nice spice to the fruit as well on the taut finish. JancisRobinson.com

Bottled in February 2025, the savory 2023 Saint-Joseph Poivre et Sol initially offers peppery and fleshy tones, touching the medium to full-bodied palate with polished tannins and lively acids, settling the expression with spicy traits on the long finish.  NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

Vinified from certified organic whole cluster grapes, the Crozes-Hermitage Certitude exhales alluring orange rind, dried violets, shy red plum and spicy tones. Built upon smooth tannins and fresh acidity, the 2023 is such a gorgeous red Crozes, showing fantastically right out of the gate. NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

Deep ruby/plum-hued, the 2023 Saint Joseph offers a slightly darker style in its red plum and borderline blue fruits as well as ground pepper, violets, and crushed stone. It's medium-bodied and has a nicely concentrated, focused style that brings ample tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length. Give bottles 2-3 years if you can, and it should have a solid decade thereafter of prime drinking. Drink 2028-2038. (92+) JEB DUNNUCK

50% Marsanne, 50% Roussanne from sandy, granitic soils on south/southeast-facing slopes. Hand-picked, native yeast fermentation in barrels, 9 months aging on lees. Rich, medium-bodied, aromatic with stone fruit, yellow fruit, citrus, and a balanced, crisp finish

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