2019 Domaine Lionnet Saint-Joseph Rouge "Terre Nueve" Rhone Valley, France (750ml)   

Domaine Lionnet is quite small, only 2.2 hectares at the moment. The vineyards are organically farmed and are certified as such by “Ecocert”. The vines are all between the ages of 40 and 100 years! Each parcel is harvested separately and vinification is done parcel by parcel as well. 

Ludovic and Corinne own just shy of a hectare of Saint-Joseph, in the village of Châteaubourg—the southernmost village in the appellation, just north of Cornas. This is Saint-Joseph with a Cornas sensibility: embracing of its spiciness, firmly structured, and rivetingly mineral-driven. The Terre Nueve is ripe and fleshy, with silky smooth edges to the core of dark plum and boysenberry fruit, backed by ample yet integrated toast and a long, lingering anise detail.