Pierre Gaillard Saint-Joseph Clos de Cuminaille 2020 Magnum

The Clos de Cuminaille is one of the most privileged sites of Saint-Joseph. It's an east-facing, walled vineyard on Chavanay's pure granite soils and produces one of the most distinctive wines of the appellation each year. When Gaillard bought this three-hectare site, he passed on the chance to buy a slice of the now-renowned La Turque vineyard in Côte-Rôtie, a site he helped plant. He simply felt that Clos de Cuminaille was the better site. The vines here are now over 30 years old, and the winemaking is no different to the Saint-Joseph-save for a touch more new oak (a well-integrated 40% this year). It's a refined and wonderfully balanced Cuminaille of dazzling fruit and succulence.

"Dark, deep robe; the bouquet engages well, speaks of its terroir, conveys a leafy, violet air with an inset of refined cassis-blue fruits, oak present as well. The palate unfurls well, has grace and gives a continuous flow of attractive dark berry fruits, good poise and refinement, the balance good as well. It's STGT [Soil to Glass Transfer] Cuminaille, with the blood-iron tone on the second half straight from the granite, the tannins clear and nicely decisive. It carries complexity, will reward study, has lovely length."

John Livingston-Learmonth, drinkrhone.com

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Saint-Joseph