2016 St Joseph
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2016 vintage is another terrific one for the Northern Rhone, making opportunities like this all the more tempting. For Jeb Dunnuck “the 2016s shine for their purity, elegance, and balance, while still showing good depth of fruit, awesome purity, and sweet tannin” and “will also be more approachable and drinkable at an earlier age” than the 2015s. As such, it’s perfect to have both in the cellar. Silky smooth and concentrated in the glass with a deep purple core. Black and blue fruit leap from the glass followed by smoked meat and a streak of stony minerality. Lovely weight; masses of concentrated fruit that is finely detailed and beautifully balanced by fresh acidity and luxurious tannins. Finishes with a real flourish, hinting at great things to come but so drinkable now. Lovely.
Critic scores
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Opaque ruby. Primary cherry, cassis, peony and olive qualities on the perfumed nose, along with hints of cracked pepper and licorice in the background. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering concentrated black and blue fruit flavors that unfold slowly and turn spicier with air. The long, velvety finish features supple tannins and leaves behind a sweet dark berry note.
About the producer
The little-known Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne, based in the heart of Saint-Joseph in Mauves, makes some of the Northern Rhône’s best-value wines.