2018 Now finished: SAINT-JOSEPH, Les Pierres Sèches, Yves Cuilleron. Northern Rhône

Saint-Joseph is the least well known appellation in the northern Rhône. It is spread rather loosely over fifty kilometres of the river, so has little geographical or stylistic cohesion. Some are light, aromatic wines, comparable to Crozes Hermitage, others are powerful wines more in the style of Hermitage itself. This is very much between the 2 extremes.

100% Syrah, matured for 16 months in 225 litre oak barrels (no new oak).

Yves Cuilleron took over the family estate (as the fourth generation) in 1987. He has both expanded the operation and radically increased the wine quality. He now makes wine from 75 hectares of vineyard across the key northern Rhône appellations and has a bistro in Ampuis.

Black pepper and spice so typical of the region, but unusual richness and suppleness, making it very drinkable at a young age.