Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph, Rhône Valley, France 2022

Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph, Rhône Valley, France 2022
The Chave family has been producing wine in Saint-Joseph since the early 20th century, and Jean-Louis Chave continues the tradition with a blend of multiple small hillside parcels across the appellation. Unlike the monopole 'Clos Florentin', this Saint-Joseph represents a broader snapshot of the AOC’s granite terroirs and is crafted with the same exacting standards applied to the domaine’s Hermitage bottlings. It is a benchmark for the appellation—age-worthy, mineral-driven, and unmistakably Chave.

• WINEMAKER: Jean-Louis Chave

• FARMING: Organic (uncertified), with biodynamic practices

• VARIETY: 100% Syrah

• TERROIR: Sourced from several parcels in Mauves, Tournon, and St-Jean-de-Muzols on steep slopes with decomposed granite soils and varied eastern exposures. Elevations range between 150–350 meters.

• VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes are mostly destemmed; vinified parcel-by-parcel with native yeasts in open-top wooden vats; manual punchdowns during fermentation.

• AGING: Aged for 18–20 months in a combination of used and new French oak barrels

• TASTING NOTES: Aromas of black cherry, dark plum, crushed granite, and black pepper with hints of violets, smoked herbs, and cured meat. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with fine tannins, fresh acidity, and a savory, mineral-laced finish.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled hanger steak, roast chicken with herbs, lentils with sausage, or wild mushroom dishes

• SCORES: 93–95 points – Wine Advocate (barrel score)