M. Chapoutier St. Joseph Deschants Rouge 2022

Maison Chapoutier is a long-established northern Rhone house founded in 1808 and an early adopter of biodynamic farming, with all its vineyards worked in an organic or biodynamic way. This Deschants is a single-varietal Syrah from AOC Saint-Joseph, grown on granitic, slightly acidic soils on the steep slopes above the Rhone. Northern Rhone Syrah on granite is defined by freshness and finesse rather than weight, the free-draining rock and cool continental climate giving a wine with bright acidity, fine tannin and a savoury, peppery character rather than the jammy ripeness of warmer sites. Fermentation on the skins draws out colour and structure, and the wine is aged in French oak with restraint so the granite-driven freshness and the varietal pepper stay clear. The colour is a deep ruby and the nose combines red and dark berries with black pepper, smoke, olive and dried herbs, with a touch of leather. The palate is medium bodied and fresh at 13% alcohol, with crunchy dark fruit, brisk acidity, fine-grained tannins and a savoury, peppery finish. Serve at 16 to 17C, ideally decanted, with grilled beef, roast lamb or game.