Gaillard Saint-Joseph Rouge 2016

Pierre Gaillard 2013 Saint-Joseph, Northern Rhône | 12% | Really a lovely year for Saint Joseph, the 2013 captures the fragrant grace this appellation can reveal when harvested from deliberate vineyards and made by such vignerons as the Gaillard family who aim to preserve all the aromatic high notes of roses and violets to counter the rich core of crunchy black fruit –blackberries and plums. A fine knit tannin offers a sophisticated texture to the structure –not merely fin knit but a gentle fiber –strong and trim but lightweight in comparison to the density that others in Saint Joseph might permit to the loss of equipoise. This is a glorious region but one that really needs an eye for balance in order to get the most of what it has to offer; this Syrah shows just what a feminine elegance and outgoing charm can rise from this variety when charmed by the right hands. Gaillard entices Saint Joseph to bear the best Syrah it can.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, December 28th 2015 (Fruit)

Food Pairings

Winged beasties with dark meat like duck, goose, squab, and griffins. Hooved game. Roasted meats.