Domaine Bernard Gripa : Saint-Joseph 2023

The elegance and mineral expression of a Saint-Joseph wine

The estate

Located in Mauves, at the heart of the Rhône Valley, Domaine Bernard Gripa is a key reference. While the family's winemaking history dates back to the seventeenth century, the official founding of the estate and the start of bottle sales date from 1974, under the leadership of Bernard Gripa. Today, it is his son, Fabrice Gripa, who has been running the estate since 2001. Spanning around sixteen hectares, this estate stands out for its sustainable approach and exclusively manual vine work, producing wines of great purity.

The vineyard

The vines dedicated to this red Saint-Joseph thrive on steep, terraced hillsides between the villages of Mauves and Tournon. At around forty years old, they sink their roots into very ancient soils composed of Tournon granite, lending the wine a distinctive minerality. Due to the steepness of the slopes, all vineyard work and harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, with the utmost respect for the environment and without any mechanisation.

Winemaking and aging

Following manual harvesting and rigorous sorting in the vineyard, the grapes for this 2023 vintage are 90% destemmed, retaining 10% whole clusters. Fermentation takes place in open vats with indigenous yeasts, with two daily punch-downs, and lasts between two and three weeks. The wine is then aged for around twelve months in 228-litre oak barrels, with a very small proportion of new wood to preserve the brightness of the fruit and the expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

Syrah (100%).

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Domaine Bernard Gripa Saint-Joseph 2023

Tasting notes

Colour
The glass reveals a deep, brilliant ruby hue, tinged with subtle violet highlights.

Nose
Highly elegant, the bouquet exudes aromas of fresh red fruit (raspberry, blackberry, burlat cherry) mingled with delicate floral notes of violet. These are joined by spicy touches of pepper and cinnamon, along with a mineral imprint reminiscent of granite, underscored by subtle herbaceous nuances and a light smokiness.

Palate
The palate opens with refinement, carried by silky, perfectly integrated tannins. Juicy and imbued with lovely freshness, it reveals flavours of black fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry) that evolve into mineral, spicy and tapenade notes. The finish is long, complex and of remarkable mineral purity.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted red meats, such as a rib steak or beef fillet with parsley and garlic butter. It will also enhance game (wild boar, venison), braised meats, spicy dishes, or more delicate meats such as duck breast or pork fillet.