Saint Joseph Rouge, Pierre Gonon 2017

The 2017 Saint Joseph showed beautifully and has a slightly more elegant yet sunny profile compared to the bigger, richer 2018, revealing a deep purple color as well as sumptuous notes of black raspberries, crème de cassis, toasted spices, ground pepper, and a terrific sense of minerality. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the pool, with ripe, sweet tannins, and a great finish, it’s another terrific wine from this estate which is unquestionably in the top handful of domaines in Saint Joseph. You can drink bottles today or cellar for over a decade. 2020-2030

The 2017 Saint Joseph offers up effusive notes of mint, black olives and black cherries. As usual, the Gonons have managed to combine herbal, savory and fruity elements into a compelling, harmonious whole. The wine is medium to full-bodied and fully ripe, perhaps not quite as lush and fruit-driven as the 2018, but it's still a tremendous success, capped off by gentle tannins and salted licorice on the long finish. 2020-2032