2021 Hervé Souhaut Saint Joseph Les Ceyssieux

WINEMAKER: Hervé Souhaut
REGION: Ardèche, FR
VARIETAL: Syrah
VITICULTURE: Organic

"Recently a new wine came into play due to inheritance, a super parcel of red Saint-Joseph in the lieu-dit Les Cessieux (see main picture) is born. This joins the established and iconic Saint-Joseph Sainte Épine (from vines over 100 years old) and together they are the jewels in the crown at this estate. Both are wines of contemplation and inspiration displaying Syrah’s nobility and virility alongside myriad exquisite fragrances and the superfine texture that are the hand of the maker. These are very rare indeed and repay careful cellaring handsomely." - Andrew Guard

The Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet was created in 1993 by Hervé Souhaut. His holdings on the acidic granite soils of the northern Rhône and the southern Ardèche are a mixture of new and ancient vines — from 50 to100 years old. Hervé's holdings are minuscule, only five hectares and he employs only organic viticulture and natural winemaking techniques. This domaine is one of the most respected producers of wine in the area.

The methods of Jules Chauvet are followed here, which is to say grapes are hand-harvested and then the whole bunches undergo a pre-fermentation maceration at low temperature. Fermentation follows using natural yeasts in wooden and concrete tanks – the wine is then aged on fine lees in seasoned oak casks for eight to twelve months. Following that there is just a teeny dose of sulfur at bottling, which is done without filtration.