2022 St Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes

From vines around Tournon, the 2022 Saint Joseph La Croix Des Vignes has a beautiful sense of minerality as well as both red and black fruits, ground pepper, violets, and spicy wood. It's balanced, medium-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, and ripe tannins that emerge on the finish. It will evolve nicely over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035. It is always a great tasting with Caroline Frey at Paul Jaboulet Aîné, and the wines showed beautifully across the board. The style here continues to emphasize purity and freshness, with a focus on vibrancy and precision. Starting with the 2021 vintage, the Hermitage La Chapelle wines were split off under the new Domaine de la Chapelle label and brand, marking a major step for the Frey family in differentiating the brands. Paul Jaboulet Aîné continues to produce a strong lineup across the Northern Rhône, including Condrieu Les Grands Amandiers, Crozes-Hermitage Thalabert and Domaine de Roure, Saint Joseph La Croix des Vignes, Côte Rôtie Les Pierrelles, and Cornas Domaine de Saint Pierre. The newer Cornas Reynard cuvée, first made in 2020, continues to impress. Hermitage La Maison Bleue rounds out the range.