2017 St Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes
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Tasting notes
Dark violet. Vibrant cherry, blackcurrant and wisteria aromas show fine delineation and pick up a smoky mineral nuance with air. Juicy and tightly focused, showing very good depth to its black/blue fruit and violet pastille flavors, which become more lively on the back half. Displays solid finishing cut, an echo of sweet dark berries and fine-grained tannins that add gentle grip. (made from fruit grown in Tournon and Mauves)
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A classic Saint Joseph, the 2017 Saint Joseph La Croix Des Vignes has rocking levels of minerality as well as notes of violets, black raspberries, cassis, and graphite. It’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and balanced, and has plenty of upside. Readers who love older vintages of Jaboulet’s flagship Hermitage La Chapelle should be happy with how owner Caroline Frey has managed this domaine since taking over in 2006. She has singlehandedly brought this estate back to its former glory, particularly with their Hermitage releases. Their second wine today, the Maison Bleue, is unquestionably a better wine than many past vintages of their flagship La Chapelle, and I suspect will age even longer.
Crushed stone notes accent cassis fruit in the 2017 Saint Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes. It's full-bodied but not quite as rich as the 2018. Focused, reserved and fine, it's an elegant rendering of Saint Joseph, not a big powerhouse.
From an elevated, steep plot with granite soils, this has a very polished and attractive nose that offers flinty, dark-stone aromas with attractive, vibrant dark plums and black cherries that carry through to the palate. Super sleek, long and fine with layering and build at the finish. Impressive power here. Best from 2023.