Domaine du Chene, Anaïs – (tank sample), Saint Joseph, Rhône, 2010

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

Muted oaky nose, a bit rubbery. Medium-bodied, reasonably fresh, but also has a slight stewed character that’s out of the sync with the acidity. This somehow lacks conviction and stylishness. Medium length and a slack finish.

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

Awkward, slightly unformed nose; a little sappy and raw. Palate makes no real effort to redeem this situation.

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

Chocolate from its ripeness and oaking, stems and black raisin. The palate has a fleshy content, the fruit is mulled in style, and this is set to be a sweet-tooth, oak raised pleaser. The oak-toffee effect is still strong, so leave until 2015. Low-level terroir, given its preparation in the cellar. A very late note of raspberry shows it can pull through the oak cloak over time. Decant this.