A whisper of tar lends an earthen, smoky undertone to sultry black-currant and plum flavors in this 100% Syrah. Matured 12 months in used-oak barrels, it is weighty and powerful, packed with black fruit and a sylph-like frame of acidity. Soft, silky tannins make it immediately enjoyable but it should improve well through 2030.

Blackberry and blackcurrant with a touch of blackcurrant leaf and bay. It has earthy, enjoyably textural tannins that suggest a proportion of whole bunch. Long finish, very authentic, and old fashioned in the best way. Fresh, restrained, highly drinkable and well balanced. A blend of nine parcels grown on granite at the foot of the slope. The old vine portion sees 30% whole bunch fermentation in stainless steel. Maturation in barrique and demi-muid, 6% new.

Intense purple colour. Ripe blackberry and raspberry conserve, violet, spice, grilled meat. It’s medium-bodied, distinctly meaty and savoury, something like Spanish black olive in flavour, along with ample black fruit. Tannin is thick – like Turkish coffee – spicy, bloody and perfumed as it goes, silty tannin in its wake.

The 2018 Saint Joseph L'Instinct is classic old school stuff. Lots of darker berry fruits, saddle leather, pepper, and earthy minerality emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with plenty of fruit, good acidity, and ripe tannins. It's going to round into form nicely with just short-term cellaring and shine for 7-8 years or more.