Domaine Michelas-St Jemms Sainte Epine, Saint-Joseph, France

米歇拉圣杰姆斯酒莊圣艾派紅葡萄酒

點擊次數(shù)：908

The open-knit, easy-drinking 2020 Saint Joseph Saint Epine is a pleasure to taste. Hints of crushed stone, black cherries and star anise appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is framed by soft tannins, making the wine immediately approachable. Drink it now and over the next 5-6 years. Tasted twice (once blind), with generally consistent notes, although one bottle seemed a touch more closed and structured than the one described here.

Violets, cassis and crushed stone appear on the nose of the 2019 Saint Joseph Saint Epine, which comes from a high-altitude granitic parcel on the opposite side of the Rh?ne from the family's home base of Crozes-Hermitage. Full-bodied and concentrated, it features ripe, silky tannins and a lengthy, elegant finish. Drink it anytime over the next decade and perhaps longer. At least for now, it appears the family will be allowed to continue labeling this wine as Saint Joseph.

Tasted from tank, the 2018 Saint Joseph Saint Epine features notes of crushed stone layered over cassis fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, with a certain stony austerity and a long finish lined with dusty tannins. As I noted last year, there's some uncertainty about how this will be labeled going forward, so for now, I've listed it as in previous vintages.

Next year, this will cease being labeled as Saint Joseph, as some of the vines are more than 350 meters above sea level (the appellation's legal limit). For now, the 2017 Saint Joseph Saint Epine is tight and taut but loaded with raspberry fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, espresso-tinged finish.

From a south-facing vineyard at 390 meters above sea level, the 2016 Saint Joseph Saint Epine is a terrific effort. It's medium to full-bodied, ripe and fleshy but with classic notes of crushed stone, blueberries and blackberries. This easy-drinking red should drink well for 7-8 years.