2020 Chapoutier Le Clos Saint-Joseph

Syrah - 750ML
Reg: $139.94
$129.94
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REVIEWS

JD 98 VN 96 DC 95 JS 95 WA 94 WS 94
JD 98

jebdunnuck.com, December 2022

98+ It's always fun to taste the Les Granits next to the Le Clos, as the wines are dramatically different. The 2020 Saint Joseph Le Clos comes from a higher elevation, more east-facing site, and the alcohol is always a...
VN 96

Vinous, December 2022

(VN 94-96 points) Glass-staining ruby. Potent kirsch, blackcurrant, olive and licorice qualities on the highly perfumed, spice- and mineral-accented nose. Stains the palate with alluringly sweet black and blue fruit...
DC 95

Decanter, June 2021

Dense black fruit overlaid with violets - very much in the Mauves style of Saint-Joseph. Peppery and spicy. Full-bodied without heaviness, this feels dense but not overly thick. Tannins are chalky but melting, like 100%...
JS 95

jamessuckling.com, May 2023

Lots of smoke and smoked bacon character in the nose, but also the blackest forest berries and a whiff of tar. Concentrated, compact and cool with a wonderful wild herb freshness and a pretty radical stony minerality...
WA 94

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

(92 - 94 points) The 2020 Saint-Joseph Le Clos, from an east-facing parcel planted in the late 1990s, shows little in the way of herbal or floral nuances, but it does deliver waves of black cherries and vanilla...
WS 94

Wine Spectator, December 2023

An opulent, brooding version that screams generosity and richness. Offers a lavish display of black plum, smoke and bacon fat flavors, revealing base notes of milk chocolate and cigar box. Beefy and burly, without being...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Syrah
Country France
Region Rhone
Sub-region Northern Rhone
Appellation St Joseph
Vintage 2020
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 14.5%
Closure Cork

Chapoutier is one of the oldest wine producers in the Rhone Valley with a history dating back to 1808. A distant ancestor, Polydor Chapoutier, was the first to buy vines here, shifting from being a simple grape grower to making and trading his own wine. For the last two hundred years, the estate has been producing some of the greatest wines in the Rhone Valley. Today, the range also includes wines from some Roussillon appellations as well as projects in Portugal and Australia.

Under Michel Chapoutier’s leadership, quality improved and Chapoutier gained international recognition. The massive negociant and winery produces single-vineyard expressions and classic wines from a range of appellations in the north and south of the valley.

They have adopted biodynamic farming techniques and have included Braille markings on their labels since 1996. This was done from a desire to reach out to and include lovers of good wines with sight-impairments, and as a tribute to Maurice Monier of La Sizeranne, a member of the family that previously owned the vines of the same name and who invented the first abbreviated version of Braille.

Chapoutier’s Le Clos Saint-Joseph 100% Syrah has a dark, garnet black color with purple highlights throughout. On the nose are lovely notes of dark fruit (cherry, blackberry), and beautiful minerality with graphite notes. The wine is soft, rich and elegant on entry. It has very fine, silky tannins, long-lingering finish and aromatic notes reminiscent of the granite terroir.

The 2020 Chapoutier Le Clos Saint-Joseph is a remarkable Syrah from the renowned Northern Rhone region in France. With its dense black fruit and overlaid violets, this wine exhibits the classic Mauves style of Saint-Joseph. Upon first sip, the palate is greeted with a peppery and spicy sensation, adding depth and complexity to the overall tasting experience.

This full-bodied red wine manages to strike a perfect balance between richness and heaviness. While it feels dense, it avoids being overly thick, creating a harmonious and elegant mouthfeel. The tannins are chalky yet melting, reminiscent of pure cocoa, offering a luxurious texture that lingers on the palate.

The integration of oak in this wine is well-executed, with just the right amount of presence to enhance the overall flavor profile. The finish is lifted and intense, showcasing an impressive concentration of flavors and deep, dark tannins. The 2020 Le Clos Saint-Joseph demonstrates exceptional balance and promises to be one of the standout vintages of this esteemed wine.

Decanter awarded this wine an impressive score of 95 points, highlighting its intense concentration and well-balanced nature. They recommend enjoying this wine between 2027 and 2035, allowing it to further evolve and reveal its full potential.

Other critics have also praised the 2020 Le Clos Saint-Joseph, with Jeb Dunnuck awarding it a score of 98+. He describes the wine as pure, seamless, and utterly concentrated, showcasing the utmost refinement that Saint Joseph has to offer. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points, noting its waves of black cherries and vanilla, silky texture, and long finish.

With its glass-staining ruby color, potent aromatics, and alluringly sweet fruit flavors, this wine captivates the senses. It exhibits outstanding finesse and power, with a smoky minerality that adds depth and complexity. James Suckling awarded it 95 points, praising its smoked bacon character, wild herb freshness, and radical stony minerality.

The 2020 Chapoutier Le Clos Saint-Joseph is a truly exceptional wine that showcases the best of Northern Rhone Syrah. Its complexity, elegance, and age-worthiness make it a must-have for any wine enthusiast. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, this wine promises a memorable and captivating experience.