PRE-ARRIVAL — EXPECTED WEEK OF OCTOBER 12TH

Pierre and Jean Gonon have become one of the benchmark domaines of the Northern Rhône and one of the defining traditional producers of Saint-Joseph. Working from Mauves, the brothers farm organically, plough their steep vineyards by horse and continue the traditional methods passed down through generations.

Their Saint-Joseph Rouge comes from vineyards in the historic heart of the appellation around Mauves, Tournon and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, including old vines originating from the legendary Raymond Trollat. These granite slopes produce Syrah of remarkable perfume, savoury complexity and mineral drive.

The 2024 is shaping up as a beautifully classical Gonon vintage. Cooler and more restrained than the warmer recent years, it combines dark cherry and blackberry with violets, black pepper, olive, smoked meat, herbs and crushed stone. There is concentration underneath, but the wine is driven by freshness and finesse, with fine tannins and a long, savoury, mineral finish.

Traditionally made with extensive whole-cluster fermentation in open wooden vats before ageing in seasoned wood. This is old-school Northern Rhône Syrah at its most compelling — wild, perfumed, structured and extraordinarily pure.

One of the great wines of Saint-Joseph and increasingly difficult to find.