(Originally published 12 July 2018.)
With 2015 and 2016, we have two excellent vintages, with, in general, more freshness in 2016 and more power in 2015.
Pierre et Jérôme COURSODON
With 2015 and 2016, we have two excellent vintages, with, in general, more freshness in 2016 and more power in 2015.
Pierre et Jérôme COURSODON
2015 Saint-Joseph Silice rouge
Coursodon is located in Mauves, heart of the original Saint-Joseph appellation and where neighbors include Gonon, Gripa, and Jean-Louis Chave. Silice is the largest and least expensive cuvée here, and possibly the best because it has the least done to it. The nose features black pepper aromas. The mouth is rich, representing the vintage, with plenty of dark plum fruit and just a hint of prune (but not bothersome). This wine has the balance to age gracefully, but at the same time, it seems almost fully ready to drink now. 13.5% stated alcohol. 90/A-
FERRATON Père & Fils
2016 Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière rouge
This is a négociant wine. It has dark and red plum fruits that lack some precision but still with the creamy, medium-weight body provides enough pleasure for the price. 13% stated alcohol. Lot 1CEMATOR16075. 86/B-
Pierre GONON
2016 Saint-Joseph Les Oliviers blanc
This wine has apricot, peach, and tropical fruit aromas and flavors and is oily in texture. It is ripe, but not too ripe, and a pleasure to drink now, but should age for 5-10 years. The vineyards are planted 80% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne. Certified organic. 14% stated alcohol. 91/A
Domaine JAMET/Corine, Jean-Paul & Loïc JAMET
2015 Côtes-du-Rhône Équivoque rouge
This wine is a new cuvée for Jamet, probably the greatest current producer of Côte-Rôtie. It comes from hillside vines on schist soils that are just on the border of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, and Syrah is the only grape used for this wine. The grapes are partially destemmed and maceration is around twenty days. Following fermentation the wine then spends about 22 months in oak before being bottled. The wine has great finesse to go with a silky texture and intense red and dark fruits. It is so delicious now that I find it difficult to avoid emptying the bottle at a single sitting, yet there is potential for an even more impressive wine with further time in bottle. The estate suggests 15-20 years of aging capacity, and that sounds right to me, although with the tannin in this wine, I think there may be an intermediate shut-down phase. 13% stated alcohol. Lot LRE15. 91(+)/A
André PERRET
2016 Saint-Joseph blanc
From a vineyard planted about half to Marsanne, half to Roussanne, there is some apricot fruit showing, but this wine is still quite disjointed and may in the end lack freshness (a surprise for 2016). Lot LSJB16. 14% stated alcohol. 87(+)/B-
2016 vin de pays des Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah
For current drinking, this wine needs a decant or some airing to clear up reduction and it’s probably best served at cellar temperature or just a little above. A medium-light, rustic country wine, there’s purple Syrah fruit here and overall good balance. There’s not a lot of resemblance to Perret’s elegant and precise red Saint-Josephs, but for a picnic or a barbecue, this should be a good choice. 12.5% stated alcohol. Lot LVPS16. 86/B
2016 Saint-Joseph rouge
Perret regularly makes one of the most seductive red Saint-Josephs, as is the case here. This wine is full-bodied but elegant with spicy red cherry and raspberry fruit, and the texture is velvety. My guess is that this wine will age well for 10-15+ years, but it’s so seductive now, why wait? Lot LSJR16. 13% stated alcohol. 91/A