Two St Joseph 2006s from Pierre Gaillard Approaching Hermitage at 1/3 the Price

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Parker gives the vintage a 92!

“From bottle, the 2006 red wines are strong efforts.” -Robert Parker

If I had to live with only one appellation from the northern Rhone, it would probably be St Joseph. I seem to find more wines that excite me here than anywhere else.

It’s embarrassing to say, but with these St Josephs, I find myself stealthily glancing at the level in the wine bottle to make sure I get my fair share.

St Joseph is part of the northern Rhone, which includes such well-known appellations as Hermitage, Cote Rotie and Cornas. St Joseph covers about 50 kilometers and runs in a thin line along the west bank of the Rhone River.

St Joseph reds are 100% Syrah. The wines tend to have a very rich color, which includes some violet and possesses aromas of black currant and raspberry with sometimes some hints of leather and licorice.

The best St Josephs have everything: smoothness with a touch of acidity, balance between the tannins and fruit and a pure taste throughout. It just so happens that I work with one of the best growers in St Joseph: Pierre Gaillard.

Here is what Robert Parker says about Pierre:
“Pierre Gaillard has over two decades of experence so he no longer qualifies as an up and coming superstar as he has achieved that status.” – Parker

And, now Pierre Gaillard’s wines:

“Without wavering, Pierre Gaillard turns out quality wines. For the past several years, this dynamic and intelligent wine maker has turned out passionate wines which win hearts in their youth and lack for nothing in terms of future potential. Gaillards wines are some of the surest values in the Rhone. All of Pierre’s wines are a testiment to the know-how of Gaillard and there is not a single weakness in the bunch. -La Revue du Vin de France 2007

Pierre Gaillard has earned his top tier ranking in the Rhone through hard work. He toiled alongside Guigal in the 80s to create Guigal’s La Turque which is a benchmark vineyard in Cote Rotie with bottles going for hundreds of dollars apiece. Gaillard scraped together money for his first parcel of land in the St Joseph region in the village of Chavanay in 1981.

The plot was called Clos de Cuminaille. The land had a 30 degree slope to it, but he was able to carve out some terraces so he could use a tractor.

I import two St Josephs from Gaillard: Clos de Cuminaille and his village St Joseph.

Wine Spectator says about Pierre Gaillard’s 2006 St Joseph:

90 Points “A fresh, floral style, with a pleasantly firm edge framing the black cherry and violet notes. Fills out nicely, with briar and mesquite hints, as this airs in the glass. Drink now through 2010. -JM”

Parker did not review the Clos de Cuminaille this time, but we have some limited quantities of it; It is a very special wine with slightly more oak aging and coming exclusively from his original vineyard. You will love these rounded beauties. Cynthia Hurley