Saint Joseph
An appellation that defies a broad brushstroke definition because of its sheer size. As opposed to the 10 minutes it takes to traverse Côte-Rôtie, it can take over an an hour (traffic permitting), to travel the 50 km north to south length of the narrow Saint Joseph appellation as it clings to the banks of the Rhône. Harvest in the north of the appellation can start a week or so after the south, so that even each vintage can defy a ‘one tag fits all’ description.
I found the wines from the north carried freshness and balance with finesse too, whilst the south had more texture in the whites, whilst the reds a little more weight. Perfumed, bright, elegant Syrah, delicate mineral-laced Marsanne and Roussanne up north, with richer more compact reds and textured whites in the south, this is one of the most sought-after and up-and-coming regions in the whole of the Rhône.
Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott
A love story and a bit of good fortune; a love of the Syrah grape that led Graeme to the Rhone and the love of his life Julie, who came together whilst working at the prestigious cellars of Stephane Ogier. Theirs is a back story of adventure and spirit and one of serendipity too.
Our relationship with the pair stretches back some 8 years or so, when we often stopped and shared a beer after the Marché aux vins in Ampuis every January, it was no surprise when they told us they were setting out on their own journey.
The surprise came when they discovered that the house they had purchased in Verin, complete with 0.35 hectare of garden, was within the appellation of Condrieu, between the in-demand Coteau de Chéry and the illustrious Chateau Grillet. Graeme & Julie like to pick early to capture the freshness, the wines tend be expressive, bright and pure.
Watch the videos: Domaine G&J Bott or Condrieu Lieu-Dit L'ALEAU.
Graeme Bott on the 2023 vintage:
“The Condrieu degree in 2023 was 12.5° to 13°. If you were on top of the vineyards, you were OK, providing you had treated them.
Yields were better than what we could actually see, and we had ended 95% of the white harvest before the 18 September rain. In 2022, we sprayed the least ever because it was so dry, and in 2023 we sprayed the most ever because it was so wet. The reds are awesome.”
2023 SAINT JOSEPH Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott
2023 SAINT JOSEPH Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott - tasted 2 barrels 2023 St Joseph - from barrel Chavanay & St Pierre de Boeuf 30% whole bunch 2,2h 30 year old vines Lovely floral nose, violets,2023 SAINT JOSEPH Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott - tasted 2 barrels 2023 St Joseph - from barrel Chavanay & St Pierre de Boeuf 30% whole bunch 2,2h 30 year old vines Lovely floral nose, violets, raspberry & strawberry notes, ripe and very juicy, elegant and precise, very very good… 2023 SJ St PB from barrel, darker fruit profile with 10-15% whole bunch More powerful, a touch more spice with fine tannins, ripe violets, raspberry and a touch of chocolateL&S (Oct 2024)
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2023 SAINT JOSEPH Blanc Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott
2023 SAINT JOSEPH Blanc Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott 12.5% From Chavanay & Saint Pierre de Bouef, 70% Roussanne 30% Marsanne Bright & clean, slightly muted on the nose, nice ripe fruit, floral,2023 SAINT JOSEPH Blanc Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott 12.5% From Chavanay & Saint Pierre de Bouef, 70% Roussanne 30% Marsanne Bright & clean, slightly muted on the nose, nice ripe fruit, floral, white flowers, peach and musk notes, very bright with citrus notes, clean & fresh.L&S (Oct 2024)
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Domaine Rémi Niero
This is one of the original domaines of the Condrieu appellation, and perhaps without the dedication to Viognier from Niero (and the likes of Vernay), Condrieu would not have the world-class reputation it has today.
The domaine existed 45 years ago when the whole appellation was just 8 hectares of vines (it's now 200 hectares), under the name Pinchon. Rémi's father Robert married the Pinchon daughter, so now, having been Domaine Niero-Pinchon for a bit, it has been shortened to simply Niero when Rémi took over.
The smart and charming Rémi started to work alongside his father in 2004 and today oversees the domaine along with his wife Krystel. They are the 3rd generation of winemakers and continue the tradition of the estate's refined and pure wines from Viognier and Syrah working from their cellars in Condrieu. The domaine has recently fully converted to organic farming. The wines, much like the estate, are pristine and pure.
The Condrieus come from just over 4 hectares of vines, all in the commune of Condrieu itself, in the parcels Coteau de Chéry, La Roncharde, Côte Chatillon, La Caille, Vergelas and Corbéry. All of these are considered some of the of the best sites in the world for Viognier. The wines are aged in tank (60%) and barrel (40%) for a year.
The Côte-Rôties come from two sites, La Viallière and Le Coteau de Bassenon, from the southern end of the appellation, a total of nearly 2 hectares. They are aged for 16 months in barrel, with 20% new wood. Along with the exceptional Saint Joseph there is also a new Crozes Hermitage in the range.
Adrien Encontre on the 2023 vintage:
“2023 was a hard vintage to read & understand, we worked constantly in the vineyards, and ultimately it was a good vintage for us. It reminds me of maybe the 2019 & the 2020”
2023 SAINT JOSEPH Bois Prieur Domaine Rémi Niero
2023 SAINT JOSEPH Bois Prieur Domaine Rémi Niero - 15 months in oak with 10% new oak Bright and floral, fresh and juicy, really impressive fruit, redcurrant, violet, raspberry, cherry, soft and very2023 SAINT JOSEPH Bois Prieur Domaine Rémi Niero - 15 months in oak with 10% new oak Bright and floral, fresh and juicy, really impressive fruit, redcurrant, violet, raspberry, cherry, soft and very very generous, this is a beautiful St Jo.. L&S (Oct 2024)
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Maison Bruyère & David
The best way to discover what is going on in a wine region is to eat and drink in the local restaurants and ask who’s up-and-coming. Our buyers were eating in Condrieu and having a refreshing beer after a hard day of tasting (it is thirsty work!) when they came across this new venture from friends Justin Bruyère & Sylvain David.
Their story is very simple one: two friends united by a passion for wine - as Justin says 'all beautiful projects are born around a glass of wine'.
Justin has deep roots within the region, his grandfather being Michel Delas of famed Hermitage name Delas Frères, whilst Sylvan brings a wealth of winemaking experience, most notably working in the cellars of Domaine des Terres Dorées in Morgon and also the brilliant Domaine Gerin in Côte-Rôtie.
These two relative youngsters in the region, have real passion, drive and enthusiasm and it shows in the wines.
Justin Bruyère on the 2023 vintage:
‘I like the finesse and the fruit with the vintage - there is of course elegance, and a drinkability that is direct. It's a vintage that is accessible to all.’
2023 SAINT JOSEPH Les Parcelles Maison Bruyère & David
2023 SAINT JOSEPH Les Parcelles Maison Bruyère & David - 100% Charnas 10 months in demi-muids 1 pump over per day until press, then heat to 28 degrees before the pressing, very attractive and2023 SAINT JOSEPH Les Parcelles Maison Bruyère & David - 100% Charnas 10 months in demi-muids 1 pump over per day until press, then heat to 28 degrees before the pressing, very attractive and perfumed nose, bright red fruits, dark cherry, nice acidity to keep it in check tooL&S (Oct 2024)
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2023 SAINT JOSEPH Blanc Les Parcelles Maison Bruyère & David
2023 SAINT JOSEPH Blanc Les Parcelles Maison Bruyère & David 50% Marsanne 50% Roussannefrom Charnas, blocked malo Pretty and floral, white flower and jasmine notes, ripe rich fruit flavours, bright2023 SAINT JOSEPH Blanc Les Parcelles Maison Bruyère & David 50% Marsanne 50% Roussannefrom Charnas, blocked malo Pretty and floral, white flower and jasmine notes, ripe rich fruit flavours, bright and juicy very long.L&S (Oct 2024)
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