Saint-Joseph « Les Serines » 2021

Selection of old sélection massale vines (i.e. grown from cuttings from the same vineyard), planted in south/southeastfacing hillside terraces. “Les Serines” is not a district; it refers to the local name for Syrah.

Soil

Granitic, shallow

Grape variety 

syrah

Viticulture 

high-density planting (8,000-10,000 vines per hectare). No insecticides or pesticides, few treatments (depending on weather), small amount of organic-only fertiliser, with respect of soil and vine balance. Vigour and yield control, leaf-thinning and green harvesting to promote grape maturation.

Vinification

the grapes are hand-picked; and then sorted, crushed and partially destemmed in the cellar. Fermented in open, temperature-controlled vats for about 3 weeks, with regular cap-punching and pumping-over. Malolactic-fermented in barriques with native yeasts.

Maturing

18 months in barriques

Tasting notes

an intense complex nose of dark fruit enhanced by spice and liquorice. Clean attack, then evolving into something rich, dense and rounded on the palate. Long, mineral finish. Silky, fine-grained tannins.

Ageing

wine made for laying down; slightly hard when young. Best to wait 4-5 years, but it can also age 15 years or more.

Food Pairing

red meats (e.g. barbecued skewers of duck breast marinated with sesame seeds).