Yann Chave Saint-Joseph Syrah

Yann Chave Saint-Joseph Syrah - Saint-Joseph, Northern Rhône, France

Graceful, perfumed and beautifully defined, Yann Chave's Saint-Joseph is a superb expression of Syrah from one of the Northern Rhône's most elegant appellations. Aromas of blackberry, raspberry and blackcurrant are lifted by notes of violet, cracked black pepper, graphite and a subtle hint of smoked herbs. The palate is vibrant and finely structured, with silky tannins supporting fresh dark fruit, savoury spice and the distinctive mineral character of granite soils. Powerful enough to satisfy, yet restrained enough to remain effortlessly drinkable, it finishes long with freshness, finesse and a lingering peppery complexity. If you prefer your Saint-Josephs to have a bit of that "old barn funk" they can be famous for, this isn't the wine you're looking for!

This single-vineyard wine comes from the lieu-dit "Les Pierres" in Tournon-sur-Rhône, where 30-year-old Syrah vines grow on steep, south-facing granite slopes. Farmed organically since Yann Chave took over the estate, the grapes are harvested by hand before undergoing natural, additive-free fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Gentle pump-overs and a four-week maceration preserve elegance, after which the wine matures for one year in 600-litre demi-muids and glass Wine Globes, followed by a further six months in tank before bottling. The result is a Saint-Joseph of remarkable purity, freshness and site expression. 

Grape Variety: 100% Syrah

Style: Red – Medium-bodied, elegant and mineral-driven

Drink Window: Now – 10 years

Perfect For: Roast duck, grilled lamb, pork loin, ribeye steak, wild mushrooms and mature Alpine cheeses

Critic Scores:

94 points - James Suckling

94 points - Decanter

A wonderfully refined Northern Rhône Syrah that captures the floral perfume, peppery spice and granite-driven freshness that make Saint-Joseph one of France's most rewarding appellations.