The base 2020 Saint Joseph is legit, offering classic structure, minerality, and depth. Blackberries, figs, darker cherries, iron, and ground pepper are just some of the nuances here, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a layered, focused mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It's well worth seeking out, and I'm sure it will be a smoking value.

Dark violet. Ripe cherry, dark berries, pungent flowers and cracked pepper on the fragrant nose. Shows very good depth as well as energy to its smoky blackberry and bitter cherry flavors, which gain weight and become sweeter with air. Plush but in no way heavy, showing solid closing punch, rounded tannins and lingering red and dark berry preserve notes.

A polished red, with terrific fruit purity to the fresh cherry and cassis flavors. Medium-bodied and plush on the creamy palate, with iron shavings, smoke and toasted alder providing the backdrop. Reveals a kiss of sweet vanilla that gilds the balanced, lengthy finish. Drink now through 2030. 4,700 cases made, 150 cases imported.