2019 St Joseph, Clos Florentin, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Rhône

The 2019 Saint Joseph Le Clos Florentin was entirely destemmed, so while the wine's aromas and flavours from a hot, dry vintage skew toward cassis and black olives, the overall impression is one of elegance, finesse and polish. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky and fine, with a long, long finish.

Drink 2022 - 2035

Nine barriques made from Le Clos this year, and the style is supple, round and approachable. Open and appealing at this stage, with violets, some menthol and even a little black pepper, surprising for a hot vintage. Very complete and seamless wine with very fine tannins, and slightly higher alcohol than the previous few vintages, but so flattering and succulent.

Drink 2022 - 2030

A more regal, elegant, full-bodied wine that reminds me of a Côte Rôtie from the southern end of the appellation, the 2019 Saint Joseph Le Clos has beautiful red and black fruits as well as flowers, spice box, and incense. These all carry to a full-bodied, expansive, refined, and seamless Saint Joseph that’s going to deliver the goods over the coming 10-15 years.

Drink 2022 - 2037

Shimmering ruby colour. Smoky mineral and potpourri nuances and a hint of incense complement expansive blackberry, kirsch, olive paste and exotic spice scents. Juicy and deeply concentrated, offering sappy, dark berry preserve, spice cake, espresso and violet pastille flavours that show fine definition and mineral thrust. Comes off impressively lithe for its depth, finishing sweet and extremely long, with repeating spiciness and polished tannins that sneak in late. This is a category-defining wine for the appellation, at least by my standards.

Drink 2029 - 2039