2021 Pierre Gaillard Saint-Joseph Rouge

93 pts
Old-school Northern Rhone Syrah from one of the region’s quiet achievers – structured, savoury and deeply satisfying.

Price:
Sale price$79.00
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In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Pierre Gaillard is a name that carries serious weight in the Northern Rhone – one of the old hands who helped shape modern Saint-Joseph. He began his career working alongside Guigal before branching out on his own in the early 1980s, and he’s been fine-tuning his approach to Syrah ever since.

This 2021 Saint-Joseph Rouge comes from steep, rocky vineyards on the western slopes of the Rhone – classic Saint-Jo terrain. Gaillard farms sustainably and harvests by hand, then ferments in open wood vats with a fair whack of whole bunch, giving the wine its lifted aromatics and firm, spicy backbone.

It’s a leaner vintage, thanks to the cooler growing season, but no less serious. There’s dark cherry and olive tapenade, violets and clove, all wrapped around taut tannins and a mineral core. It sees about a year in mostly used oak, keeping things focused and savoury.

A great example of why Saint-Joseph has become such a smart buy – proper Northern Rhone Syrah with pedigree and poise, without the Cote-Rotie price tag.

93 points - "Currants, freshly ground black pepper and cold ashes on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Well-balanced and harmonious with bright fruit character at the center and a vibrant core of violets and succulent dark cherries. Precise with a long finish. Drink or hold." - JamesSuckling.com

Gaillard’s Saint-Joseph rouge is drawn from several parcels located in the high country of Malleval and Chavanay, in the far north of this sprawling appellation—closer to Vienne and Condrieu than to Tournon-sur-Rhône. The steep, cool soils here have plenty of granite, which contributes to the mineral cut of this perfumed and vibrant Syrah

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Full Bodied
Variety Shiraz
Country France
Region Rhone Valley
Reviewed By James Suckling
Critic Score 93
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2021
Closure Cork

Pierre Gaillard

A true master of Syrah, Pierre Gaillard was part of the Guigal team that created the iconic La Turque. Nowadays he quietly prefers his own Rhone releases from Cote Rotie, Condrieu and Saint Joseph.

Pierre's hallmark is a lightness of touch, a less-is-more approach. Great vineyards, hand-picked, slow elevage - all geared towards revealing terroir in the wines, rather than technique.

Look out for the beautiful impressionist labels too.

Pierre Gaillard - Saint-Joseph, Rhone Valley

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