2022 E. Guigal Vignes de l'Hospice Saint-Joseph

Deep purple-hued, the 2022 Saint Joseph Vignes De L'Hospice offers a sensational nose of crème de cassis, scorched earth, liquid violets, and bouquet garni, with a wonderful gamey, classic Northern Rhône Syrah character. It's medium to full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with sweet tannins, nicely integrated oak, and a great finish. This is a brilliant, seamless, sexy example of this cuvée that already offers pleasure yet will see its 20th birthday in fine form.

Guigal’s plot in Saint-Joseph has the same soil as that of Hermitage, just with a different exposure, which explains the majestic stature of their Vignes de l’Hospice. This, a more structured and tannic version of Saint-Joseph, displays the harmony and depth of Guigal’s special bottlings. Fragrant and mineral-filled, it’s an extraordinary Saint-Joseph. Its modest 13.5 percent stated alcohol belies its concentration and profundity. The effect of 30 months of aging in new French oak is suaveness, without a hint of oakiness. You would be excused if you mistook this Saint-Jospeh for a young Hermitage. It will benefit from a decade of bottle age.