2009 St Joseph Offerus
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Tasting notes
Deep dark crimson. Fine and smooth and very appealing and correct without recourse to sweetness or oak. Just what St-Joseph should be – but is there the merest hint of reduction here? Juicy and appealing. GV (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Opaque purple. Classic syrah aromas of cassis, cherry pit, olive and violet, with smoke and cracked pepper accents. Juicy and sharply focused, with deep but vivacious dark berry and bitter cherry flavors. Clings impressively on the finish, leaving behind notes of candied flowers and spices. As usual, this is a great introduction to Jean-Louis Chave's winemaking style at an easy price.
One of the finest examples of this cuvee Chave has yet made, the 2009 St.-Joseph Offerus is performing fabulously well from bottle. Produced from purchased grapes grown on the hillsides behind the village of Mauves as well as from further north on the hillsides above Tournon and St.-Jean de Muzols, this St.-Joseph reveals copious aromas of licorice, bay leaf, bouquet garni, roasted meats, black cherries and raspberries. It possesses an attractive texture as well as lots of fleshy, fat flavors, and good acidity and freshness. It, too, should drink nicely for a decade. Adding to their acreage in St.-Joseph, the Chaves purchased the famous Clos Florentin Vineyard a few years ago. I suspect they will make a single vineyard wine from this site in the future. Importer: Langdon-Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900
About the producer
The Chaves have been growing grapes in the Northern Rhône since 1481. Jean-Louis Chave is the 16th generation to head up the family domaine, having taken over from his father in 1992.