All wines are red, except as otherwise noted.
Cave de TAIN
Cave de Tain is the major (but not only) cooperative in the Northern Rhône. Traditionally, it’s had a more-than-decent reputation, but I confess to not having tasted wines from this source for many years, during which time a significant number of cooperative members have left to make their own wines.
2019 Saint-Joseph Terre de Violette
The Cave produces multiple cuvées of Saint-Joseph, and this one is, I believe, near the bottom of the hierarchy. Judged just as Syrah, this is a good wine for the money. Judged as Saint-Joseph, it is mediocre — there are some violets in the nose, as the name states, but otherwise little Saint-Joseph character. The wine is round and full with dark plums and other dark fruits and round tannins. Drink over the next 3-5 years. Cork closure. 14% stated alcohol. 86/C
2021 Crozes-Hermitage Les 3 Lys
This wine restores some of my faith in the Cave de Tain and also holds out promise for the 2021 vintage. The wine is medium-light with red fruits, some minerality and good acidity for a Crozes, and it has a pleasing smooth texture. The wine should be at its best over the next 6-10 years. Cork closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. 88/B+
Domaine Georges VERNAY/Christine VERNAY
2019 Saint-Joseph Terres d’Encre
Vernay’s Saint-Josephs come from the northern end of the appellation, where the wines often bear a strong resemblance to Côte-Rôtie. That certainly is the case here. The wine has spicy dark fruits, a medium-light body, and excellent intensity and penetration. I don’t have experience with older vintages of this wine, but based on the balance, I would expect that the wine will age well. Nevertheless, it is so delicious for current drinking, why wait? Organic agriculture (although no certification on the label). Cork closure. 13.0% stated alcohol. Lot L.05. 92/A
François VILLARD
2020 Saint-Joseph Poivre et Sol
This negociant wine is a fine example of wine from the northern sector of Saint-Joseph done in a modernist style. With 60% whole clusters, the wine was fermented in stainless steel and open wood casks and then put in barrels that were 3-6 years old. The result is a smooth texture with medium-weight and mineral dark fruits. The wine is delicious for immediate drinking and the producer’s website says it has a potential cellar life of 12 years. DIAM 30 closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. Lot LPS20. 90/B+
Les VINS DE VIENNE
2019 Saint-Joseph
Vins de Vienne is a cooperative venture of three producers in the northern part of the Rhône: Cuilleron, Villard, and Gaillard. I find this wine rather clumsy with a medium-weight body, moderate acidity, dark fruits, and no precision. Drink young. DIAM 3 closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. Lot SJ0193A1. 85/D