Saint Joseph Rouge, J-L Chave 2016

Opaque ruby. Powerful, mineral-tinged aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, candied flowers, olive and licorice, along with a smoky overtone that builds in the glass. Stains the palate with sweet, energetic black/blue fruit, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that show outstanding purity and mineral-drive. The spice and floral notes repeat emphatically on a strikingly long, lively finish that's shaped by velvety, even tannins.

Leading off the 2016s and tasted out of bottle, the 2016 Saint Joseph is rock-solid and shines in the vintage. Brought up all in older oak (Jean-Louis stated that he doesn't think Saint Josephs like oak) and offers plenty of darker, mineral, and smoked earth notes that slowly open up with more red fruits and spice. It's beautifully elegant and silky on the palate, with ample mid-palate heft, medium to full body, and sweet tannins. Put a case in the cellar and drink bottles over the coming decade or so.

I tasted several parcels that will go into the 2016 Saint Joseph, rating them all in this range. All were distinctive in their own ways, from the perfumed, floral notes and elegance of Les Challeys to the almost jammy cherry flavors of Les Oliviers and the dark-fruited precision of Le Clos.