Domaine Bernard Gripa, Saint Joseph, Rhône, 2010

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

Subdued blueberry and damson nose, with some charm. Fairly rich and sleek, textured rather than super-concentrated, an elegant style with freshness, balance and airiness. Not that weighty but there are enough tannins to give some structure and although accessible, it should age reasonably well. Quite long.

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

A nose of loganberry and hints of pine resin leads, intriguingly, to a surprisingly rounded palate with disarmingly soft tannins, ripe almost strawberry fruit and a finely-moulded finish. Hitherto a little disjointed but certainly not completely devoid of interest.

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

Nose is ripe, broad and reserved – for now it offers a toffee, black raisin air with a solid backing of sunny blackberry fruit. The palate is more forceful, with a hump of power, and an oaked note late on. Very grounded wine suited to winter foods, with a compact sweetness and a rich feature on the finish. Decant. Almost from the southern Rhone in its make-up, including a garrigue note on the aftertaste.