2013 Domaine Pierre Gonon Saint-Joseph

Domaine Pierre Gonon is 23-acre estate in the town of Mauves. It was founded in 1956 by Pierre Gonon, and today is run by his sons Pierre and Jean Gonon. The granite slope vineyards are farmed organically and the estate has been certified as organic since 2013. This domaine is generally considered one of the very best of the Saint Joseph appellation, and the domaine produces both red and white Saint Josephs. The red is Syrah and the white is a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. Between 2,300 and 3,500 cases are produced annually. Wine Advocate has rated the in wines in the low to mid-90s, and noted that “while the Gonon brothers get a lot of recognition for their classically-styled Saint Joseph red, their white is also superb and ages beautifully.”

The Northern Rhône Valley wine region hugs the Rhône River from Vienne in the north to Valence at its southern tip. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Septentrionales, and it is divided into eight appellations. Along with its neighbor to the south, the Southern Rhone Valley, it is famous for its big, tannic, intensely concentrated wines. Syrah is the only red grape permitted in AOC wines from this sub-region, though the Syrah can be blended with the white wine grapes Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, depending on the regulations for each AOC. White wines are made from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Of the eight appellations in the north, the most admired wines tend to come from Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Hermitage, though there are certainly exceptional wines to be found in St. Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, St.-Peray, Crozes-Hermitage and Cornas. Along with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, Rhône wines are among France’s best known and most collected wines. Red wines from these appellations are notable for their signature aromas of bacon and green olives, and for their depth. Robert M. Parker, a great champion of Rhone wines, has written that “the northern Rhône produces three of the greatest wines in the world – the white wines of Condrieu and the red wines of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage.”

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.