Saint Joseph: Domaine Georges Vernay 2009
Description
Saint Joseph from Domaine Georges Vernay is a classic dark, Northern Rhône Syrah - a bouquet of ripe red berries with undertones of scorched earth and a hint of vanilla. The palate has a wonderful concentration of juicy cassis and bilberry tastes over a warming background of finely structured tannins.
- Style: Red Wine, Dry (Sec), Full-bodied
- Region: Rhone, Saint Joseph,
- Producer: Domaine Georges Vernay
- Vintage: 2009
- Grape variety (Cépage): Syrah
- Wine pairing - drink with: Beef, Lamb
- Cellarage: Approachable in youth (if decanted) this wine will age gracefully for 5-6+ years.
- Vinification: Syrah grapes from 1.45 hectares of vines grown on granitic soil at Chavanay are hand-harvested at optimum ripeness and are vinified in stainless steel vats prior to a 10 month élevage in 225-litre casks, 10% of which are new. The wine is then filtered prior to bottling.
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 12.5%
- Full Tasting Notes (PDF): Download
Saint Joseph: Domaine Georges Vernay 2009
Bottled by another Rhône luminary, Christine Vernay, this red Saint-Joseph is called ‘Terres d’Encre’. The Syrah is grown on granitic soil and is destalked completely prior to pressing, then fermented in steel before undergoing a 10 month élevage in oak barrels, 10% of which are new. Like most of Christine’s wines, it is quite polished and glossy with a fine concentration of ripe berry-fruit against a background of deftly-integrated vanilla notes. It is a wine that stands up well to simple grills and will benefit from a year or two in bottle.