Vincent Paris 'Les Côtes' Saint-Joseph Red Wine 2019

Domaine Vincent Paris 'Les Côtes' Saint-Joseph Red Wine 2019

Linda prepared beef stroganoff and I pulled from the cellar this big hearty Sirah. I recently picked this up at Binny's, the Chicagoland Beverage super store to 'try before I buy' for our cellar collection. Based on this experience tonight, I'll definitely be running back to pick up more of this label for bright expressive fruit and good QPR (quality-price-ratio) drinking. 

This is from the Saint Joseph appellation in the Côtes du Rhône of the Rhone River Valley that stretches from the city of Vienne in the north to Avignon is the south. Sitting in the northern Rhone River Valley, it is the region's largest appellation in terms of geographical coverage. The appellation is known for red wine made primarily from the Syrah grape varietal, and a small amount, about ten percent, white wine made from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes that may be blended together in varying proportions.

The Saint-Joseph appellation was designated in 1956 and consisted of six parishes, and was expanded in 1969 based on the success and popularity of its wines. It now covers more than 26 communes extending about 30 miles from Chavanay in the north in the Condrieu territory, to Chateaubourg in the south.

This is 100% Syrah from vineyards in the village of Ardoix about 30 km north of Cornas in the central part of the appellation. 10 and 20 year old vines. Prunes to only four bunches of grapes per vine (the norm is between five and seven) for richer more concentrated fruit.

The area extending down to Cornas is known to produce some of the world’s best varietal fruit of the Syrah grape. The area terrain sits on the slopes facing east in the river valley. Saint-Joseph wines are generally made in a lighter style, for earlier consumption (no more than four years), and lean towards fruitier flavors with softer tannins rather than the meatier, leathery style of Hermitage appellation based wines produced across the river. The best sites are set on primary rock formations, consisting of gneiss, granite and mica-rich schist, while others are set on limestone outcrops, or the alluvial soils of ancient glacial terraces. These soils are reflected in characteristics in the wines produced from them.

As soon as the cork was extracted the room filled with aroma's of black and blue fruits and spice. 

Pouring this into the glass it was dark inky purple colored, medium-full bodied, bold vibrant, complex but nicely balanced, elegant rich blackberry fruits with notes of ripe blueberry, spice, black pepper with full soft smooth tannins on the long finish. 

RM 91 points. 

This was rated 91-93 pts by Vinous. 

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