Wine & Spirits - February 2018 - 47

state of tension, notes of underbrush, spice
and herbs adding detail. Made from sérine,
an old variant of syrah, with 30 percent whole
clusters, this is a serious St-Joseph, to drink
now or hold another decade. § Craft + Estate/
The Winebow Group, NY
226260

92 | François Grenier

$31

92 | Domaine
Bernard Gripa

$42

2015 St-Joseph Chaussonot (Best Buy) ^
Only the second vintage for François Grenier, a grower in St-Désirat who sold his grapes
until 2014, this is a little bit oaky, but in a delicious way. The smoke, earth and dried herb
scents conjure up a campfire in a forest clearing; the savor of the dark, firm fruit conjures
up thoughts of the roast lamb that would go
well with it. § Domaine Select Wine Estates, NY
226318
2015 St-Joseph ^ The Gripas organically farm
nearly 40 acres of vines in the granite soils
of St-Joseph, their oldest vines surpassing 80
years. This cuvée, selected from their middleaged vines (30 to 45 years old), is lush in violet scents and purple fruit, with a chocolatey
density from its smooth tannins. It feels fresh
and generous, the acidity keeping the wine
lively, and suggesting it will age well. § Wines
of France, Mountainside, NJ
226187

91 | Jean-Michel Gerin

$31

90 | Gabriel Meffre

$30

VIN DE FRANCE

226312

226293

93 | Francois Villard

$20

2016 Vin de France L'Appel des Sereines
Syrah (Best Buy) ^ A blend of young-vine
fruit pulled from four parcels ranging from
Ardoix in St-Joseph to St-Michel-sur-Rhône
and Vérin near Condrieu, this syrah soars on
cool blue fruit. It's ripe yet streamlined, with
a refreshing menthol note and vibrant acidity
that lift the wine out of its earthy, dark-berried richness and send it skyward in a cloud
of near-weightless flavor that lasts. § JAE Wine
Imports, Napa, CA

90 | Domaine
Bernard Gripa

$21

2015 Vin de France Cerise (Best Buy) ^ A
lean, foresty green note and grippy tannins
signal the cabernet sauvignon that makes up
half this blend; young-vine syrah from hilltop plateaus in St-Joseph make up the rest,
filling out the wine with dark, plummy fruit.
The blend works well, especially given time
in a decanter, when the tannins mellow and
the fruit turns more savory, toward notes of
black olives and green tea. § Wines of France,
Mountainside, NJ n

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL
A N D E R S O N V A L L E Y
AROMATIC WHITE WINE
F
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T
I
V
A
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F E B R UA RY 2 4 - 2 5 2 0 1 8

2015 St-Joseph (Best Buy) ^ This checks all
the boxes for St-Joseph, and with admirable
restraint: The fruit is tangy and fresh, red
plum flavors underlined with a hint of game,
and seasoned lightly with black pepper and
floral notes. It feels like the fruit was caught
at a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness,
so the wine lasts with succulence. § Esprit du
Vin, Port Washington, NY
226453
2016 St-Joseph St-Etienne (Best Buy) ^
Cocoa-powder tannins give this syrah
enough grip to handle a hanger steak while
the lush floral scents give the wine grace and
lift. It feels generous and meaty, a firm StJoseph for bistro food. § Vision Wine & Spirits,
Secaucus, NJ
226414

88 | Maison Denuzière

Riesling
Pinot Gris

Gewürztraminer

$30

2015 St-Joseph (Best Buy) ^ Oak tannins and
spice give this dark, ripe syrah a staunch,
dense feel; give it a whirl in a decanter and a
thick steak to balance. § Boutique Wine Collection, Philadelphia, PA

Muscat

Pinot Blanc

Presented by Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association
Educational Sessions, Grand Tasting, Winemaker Dinner, Winery Open Houses
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Wine & Spirits - February 2018
