Like a fusion of a solar vintage with a cool vintage. Has a menthol minty and floral freshness to it. Then as I coax more out of the glass with some swirling, has that classic Gonon olive tapenade note. Plus stems, peppercorns and brine. I know it’s ridiculously young to pop, but I get a fair allocation and I always like to check in when I receive them, and I was amused to see that I actually beat @Jeremy_Holmes to a post about it, lol! This is a delicious wine, though not necessarily a profound wine. Definitely top of the scale for Saint Joseph. Even in this primary state, it is really approachable, and lip smackingly delicious. Love the balance between the red and dark fruits. Lots of promise to this wine, and will probably drink well earlier than the traditional Rule of 15.
(93 pts.)
incidentally, the Iles Feray from this vintage is quite delicious as well, that bottling just gets better and better with vine age.
Revisiting on day two, drinking the remaining 1/3 of the bottle, which I left overnight in the refrigerator. Has taken on some darker tones and a little bit more weight, really silky on the palate. Blood orange citrus notes. Briny and sweet at the same time. Delish.
That was a fantastic read! I read it then. But as I noted, I get a generous allocation and have a lot of this stuff so always check in on the new release vintage. Helps me gauge how I handle the rest. Zero regrets opening it.
Honestly, I’m 100% with you. If I had a bunch of these wines, I wouldn’t waste a second sampling a bottle, just to see where we are at the moment (as I really don’t trust other peoples’ palates; even when “I do” - there’s just no other palate as trustworthy as the one you have in your mouth!).
But if I had just 1 or 2 bottles, I would just read what People Who Know Their Sheet have said, and trust them 100%!
Funny enough, I receive more of the St Joe than the Iles Feray. I popped a 23 Iles Feray but cannot see where I posted any note. They are definitely getting better and better but also much pricier, like the Clape Vin des Amis. Used to buy the Clape BTC for daily drinking but now too expensive and much harder to find.
Île Feray is a piece of flat land between Tournon, Mauves (where Domaine Gonon is located) and the Rhône river. Gonons own some old vineyards in île Feray and Les îles Feray is a blend of fruit from these vineyards and some “declassified” younger-vine fruit from their St Joe vineyards, ie. not used in the grand vin.
Sounds like Gonon is working his usual magic. The few ‘23 northern Rhones I’ve tried (Faury VV, Clape vin des amis, and Rousset Picaudieres) have all struck me as this fusion you describe of solar and cool…well developed aromas, but high acid and not quite enough fruit or balance for immediate pleasure.
guess I should try a 19 or 21. And to think I respected your palate haha.