Saint-Joseph: Domaine Georges Vernay 'Terres d'Encre' 2022
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Saint Joseph 'Terres d'Encre' from Domaine Georges Vernay is a classic dark, Northern Rhône Syrah - this wine has an appealing bouquet of violets and dark berries and sumptuous black fruit palate, offset by some cooler granitic notes, a fine acidity and some deftly-integrated oak. Certified organic.
Christine Vernay is rightly recognised as one of the Northern Rhône's most gifted wine-makers and is gaining increasing recognition for her red wines as well as her celebrated Condrieu.
Her evocatively named, red 'Terres d'Encre' Saint-Joseph wine emanates from 3 parcels of vines on the terraces of Chavanay. It is a wine that stands up well to simple grills and would repay 3 to 5 years bottle age.
| Style | Red Wine, Sec, Full-bodied, Non Sparkling |
|---|---|
| Wine Region | Rhône, Saint-Joseph |
| Grape Variety (Cépage) | Syrah |
| Food & Wine Matching | Beef, Casserole, Lamb, Mushrooms |
| Viticulture | Organic |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Cellarage | Approachable in youth (if decanted) this Saint-Joseph wine will age gracefully for 5 to 6+ years. |
| Vinification | Syrah grapes from 1.45 hectares of vines grown on granitic soil at Chavanay in Saint-Joseph 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 (%) | 13.5 |
Domaine Georges Vernay
The Vernay name is synonymous with quality Viognier. Christine Vernay's father Georges (1926-2017) was instrumental in keeping the Condrieu appellation from extinction in the 1960s when there were only 8 hectares left under vine! The Vernays have worked tirelessly to promote Viognier and are largely responsible for its current renaissance and newfound global popularity. Christine Vernay took over winemaking responsibilities here in 1997 and is assisted in the management of the estate by her husband Paul Amsellem. Today the Vernays farm 7.5 hecatres of vines at Condrieu, which puts them in the top 3 growers in volume terms (alongside Cuilleron & Guigal). Domaine Georges Vernay is widely regarded as being among the very best sources of Condrieu, they also produce an excellent Vin de Pays Viognier, from higher altitude vines called 'Le Pied de Samson' as well as an impressive range of red wines comprising a fruity Vin de Pays Syrah, Saint Joseph and Côte Rôtie.
"Domaine Georges Vernay is the flagship of Condrieu. Its vines were planted in the AOC in 1936, and it remained the only domaine in Condrieu for many years, until others finally started believing in Viognier. Today, third-generation vintner Christine Vernay runs the estate, crafting whites that are both opulent and pure. Her Côte-Rôties are equally impressive."
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator.
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