Saint Joseph Lou Taissou, Domaine de L'Iserand (J-F Malsert) 2018

Dark violet color. Highly fragrant black/blue fruit, floral and licorice scents are lifted by smoky mineral and cracked pepper qualities. Pliant and seamless on the palate, showing real vivacity to its focused black raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors, which turn sweeter on the back half. Finishes sappy and energetic, with a salty hint of olive paste and dusty, fine-grained tannins that make a late appearance. (60% whole clusters; fermented in stainless steel tank and raised in a 50/50 combination of neutral demi-muids and small, polymer tanks). Drink between 2022-2029

A bright purple colour in the glass. The nose layers ripe damson, blackberry and liquorice fruit together with black pepper and game, open and expressive with the floral hints associated with Saint Joseph. The palate is initially silky and fairly full bodied, showing the warmth of the vintage but always balanced with a refreshing lift of pepper and violet. Succulent with roasted cherries and black forest gateau notes yet never heavy, this is a rounded but still perfumed Syrah that actually gains in chalky bite with air. Great to drink now, especially with food. Good value.

Dark red, with purple in it. Has a live black cherry fruit aroma, notes of black olives, some reduction. The palate gives keen black fruits, Morello cherry, with cut in the tannins, shows nerve on the second half, a wee violet indicating its granite origins. It comes with inner depth, strength, rocks well. There are blood and iron notes, it has good energy, and surges well towards the finish. From mid-late 2020. ****