14.5% abv, Arras-sur-Rhône, imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant. Cork closure: natural. Biodynamic calendar: leaf day.
Winemaking notes: 100% Syrah, organically-farmed, from 4 hectares of vines on limestone, schist, granite and gravel soils. “After manual harvest, the grapes are left to cold-macerate for three or so days; then, once de-stemmed and crushed, the fermentation proceeds for approximately three to four weeks. Only indigenous yeasts are used. There follows an elevage of eighteen to twenty-four months in barrels of varying sizes (225, 400 and 600 liters) before the wine is bottled without fining or filtration.”
Tasting note: the ‘Les Prieuré d’Arras’ Saint Joseph is pale garnet in color with a hint of purple, and a clean nose of medium+ intensity with aromas of violet, and mulberry, black plum, blackberry, cream, cinnamon, smoke, slate and tarragon leaf. On the palate this wine is dry with medium acid, medium tannin, high alcohol, medium body, medium+ flavor intensity and a long finish with flavors of violet, hibiscus, sour plum, blackberry, coffee, smoke, duck fat, black tea leaf, cedar and tarragon leaf. Drink now, this Saint Joseph from the Northern Rhône Valley is very very good: 9.5/10.