E. Guigal St. Joseph Vignes de L'Hospice 2016

Grown on the vineyard directly across from Hermitage and planted on the same rock formation, dramatically perched above the town of Tournon, the Vignes de l'Hospice makes perhaps the most persuasive argument as to why Saint-Joseph at one time was considered superior even to Hermitage. It shares with the best Hermitage a powerful intensity, yet the elegance of Saint-Joseph is beautifully apparent in how the wine draws out and finishes.

The oak is strident, but the fruit is finding its feet and the layers of smoky bacon, cedar and baking spice reveal very rich and ripe dark-plum, blackberry and tarry notes. The palate has terrific density and definition of tannin; this is really a feature and supports long, ripe dark-plum and black-cherry flavors. Drink over the next decade or more.