St-Joseph 2023: Report and top-scoring wines
The northern Rhône's largest appellation presents a decidedly mixed bag in 2023, beset by hail, heat and... badgers.
Generalising about St-Joseph is difficult in 2023. The southernmost vineyards were hit by the storm of 18 September; the northern slopes were not.
Some vineyards were hit by hail, others were more fortunate.
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Analysis of St-Joseph is therefore better taken on a wine-by-wine basis in 2023, but the general style is relatively light, sometimes lean, leading on flowers and herbs rather than concentrated fruit.
It’s a pleasant vintage that will drink well young; not as exciting as 2019 or 2020, but riper than 2021.
‘Less concentrated than 2022,’ says Gonon, ‘but more refined.’
The whites are good if fairly mixed; some light and fresh, others overripe and heavy.
This vintage tends to be better balanced than the bombastic 2022s.
Spare a thought for Franck Balthazar this year; every grape in his St-Joseph vineyard was eaten by badgers.
Rhône 2023 full report and top-scoring wines
Key St-Joseph producers in 2023
- Domaine Bernard Gripa
- Domaine Gonon
- M Chapoutier
Best-value St-Joseph wines in 2023
- Alain Voge, Les Côtes, St-Joseph 2023
- Domaine Jolivet, Clef de Sol, St-Joseph Blanc 2023
- Vignobles Chirat, Lieu-dit La Côte, St-Joseph 2023
Under-the-radar St-Joseph producers in 2023
- Domaine Anthony Vallet
- Domaine Jolivet
- Vignobles Chirat
Northern Rhône 2023: The connoisseur’s guide
Southern Rhône 2023: The connoisseur’s guide
Compare vintages: See our coverage of St-Joseph from previous years
St-Joseph 2022: Report and top-scoring wines
St-Joseph 2021: Report and top-scoring wines
St-Joseph 2020: Report and top-scoring wines
Top-scoring St-Joseph producers in 2023:
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Domaine Gonon, Les Oliviers Blanc, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
Attractive pear and honeysuckle aromas. Relatively medium-bodied this year, not as rich as some vintages can be, but good acidity and the alcohol is rich...
2023
Domaine GononSt-Joseph
M Chapoutier, Les Granits Blanc, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
Touch of flinty reduction on the nose. Not full-bodied – it moves fast in the mouth – but has real impact, intensity and good acidity....
2023
M ChapoutierSt-Joseph
Domaine Bernard Gripa, Le Berceau Blanc, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
Aromas of honey and honeysuckle. This is full-bodied, rich and powerful, showing roasted pineapple, crème pâtissière, with noble bitter notes; this is so impressive. Marzipan...
2023
Domaine Bernard GripaSt-Joseph
Domaine Jolivet, Clef de Sol, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
A big, generous, billowing style of St-Joseph, really rich and ripe, but somehow still fresh and detailed. It lands softly, despite its size. From three...
2023
Domaine JolivetSt-Joseph
Domaine Bernard Gripa, Blanc, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
Quince, pear and subtle hazelnut notes. Lovely richness on the palate, which is powerful and shows noble bitter notes. Full but fresh, good acidity, then...
2023
Domaine Bernard GripaSt-Joseph
Domaine Bernard Gripa, Le Berceau, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
Full-bodied, ripe and rich for a 2023, with surprisingly vibrant acidity. Forest berries throughout the nose and palate, less fragrant than Le Parady in style....
2023
Domaine Bernard GripaSt-Joseph
Domaine Bernard Gripa, Parady, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
A very fragrant style, primarily violets at this stage. Fuller in body, more rounded and powerful than this producer's St-Joseph – the alcohol slightly higher,...
2023
Domaine Bernard GripaSt-Joseph
Domaine Gonon, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
Violets and raspberries, this is a relatively light-bodied vintage. Fine, delicate but ripe, with lovely balance, making this very fresh and drinkable. Not a hugely...
2023
Domaine GononSt-Joseph
Domaine JL Chave, Clos Florentin, St-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2023
Old vines, producing a light, sleek, juicy expression of this vineyard. The structure is fairly petite this year – tannins are light and very fine,...
2023
Domaine JL ChaveSt-Joseph
