J.L. Chave Sélections "Offerus" Saint Joseph Rouge 2022

Saturated magenta. Smoke-accented aromas of cherry, blackberry, violet and black pepper, along with a smoky mineral touch that builds in the glass. Chewy and focused in the mouth, offering nicely concentrated, spice-laced and appealingly sweet black and blue fruit flavors with a touch of licorice. The peppery quality comes back strong on a long, sappy finish that's shaped by steadily building tannins.

50% Syrah crop from own vineyards at Mauves, 50% purchased Syrah from about 9 sources, mostly St-Jean-de-Muzols, rest from Champ Long at the south Mauves, a little Tournon, vines all worked by J-L Chave team, 2007 included Clos de l’Arbalestrier, mostly destemmed, 3 week vinification, fined, unfiltered.

The project of Offerus has evolved since its first vintage of 1995. In the beginning, 100% of the wine was purchased from producers of high quality/ small quantity St Joseph domaines. Since the late 1990’s, Jean Louis Chave began purchasing and replanting parcels of St. Joseph. Currently, over 60% of the Offerus comes from these young vines owned by the Domaine JL Chave, which sells off the juice in bulk to JL Chave Selection for elevage and bottling. The wine is fermented in large, wood, open top fermenters and then finished in old oak demi-muids.