Pierre Gaillard is celebrated for excellent expressions of Rhône varietals, and the Cote-Rotie Esprit de Blonde 2016 is no exception. This exquisite red wine hails from the sun-kissed vineyards of Cote-Rotie, a highly-regarded wine-producing region in France. The grape varietals in this territory flourish in decomposed schist and mica schist soils, imparting distinct minerality into the wines produced here. The 'esprit' in the name, which translates to 'spirit,' captures the soulful characteristics of these vineyards.

Like all Pierre Gaillard Cote-Rotie Esprit de Blonde 2016, this vintage was nurtured through meticulous selection of grapes, diligent crushing, and prolonged maceration, before maturation in French oak barrels for 18 months. It is an embodiment of the producer's passion for excellence and an ode to the magnificent terroir of northern Rhône. This elegant Syrah offers complex aromas of red fruit, spices and violets, underscored by smooth tannins and a lingering, full-bodied finish.

Vinous (95)

Deep violet color. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes candied cherry, black raspberry, cola, candied flowers and exotic spices. Vibrant red and dark berry preserve and spicecake flavors show excellent clarity and steadily deepen as the wine opens up. Smooth, well-knit tannins add gentle grip to a wonderfully long, spice- and mineral-driven finish that leaves a sweet violet pastille note behind.

Jancis Robinson (18+)

100% Syrah, 100% destemmed. Aged for 18 months in barrel (100% new oak). Barrel sample. Tasted blind. Lots of smokiness here, firm and showing some graphite flinty notes on the nose. A firm and tightly coiled palate with excellent freshness and florality – lots going on and a wine that has so much to offer over the coming years.

Emanating elegance and prowess, the Pierre Gaillard Cote-Rotie Rose Pourpre 2021 is the embodiment of fine French viticulture. Crafted by the renowned Pierre Gaillard, noted for the meticulous cultivation of his vineyards across the Rhône Valley, this wine truly is a masterpiece. It owes its rich characteristics to the superb Cote-Rotie appellation.

The 2021 Rose Pourpre is crafted from vines planted on steep, terraced slopes of mica-schist soils. The hand-harvested Syrah grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and aged in oak barrels, contributing to its distinct aromatic depth, flavour linkage and superior quality.

The finished product is a wine of intense colour, boasting full-bodied dark berry, smoky and spice aromas. The layered palate presents an exquisite balance of fruit and mineral notes, underscoring the skillful craftsmanship of Pierre Gaillard. The Pierre Gaillard Cote-Rotie Rose Pourpre 2021 is a delicately balanced and compelling tribute to the Rhône’s terroir.

Wine Advocate (92-95)

I tasted from two barrels seemingly destined for the 2018 Saint Joseph les Pierres. One was full-bodied, plush and long, with notes of mocha and black cherries, while the other showed explosive red fruit, firm tannins and greater freshness. They should complement each other beautifully.

Vinous (93-94)

Pale, glistening yellow. Meyer lemon, pear nectar and jasmine scents show excellent clarity and pick up hints of tarragon and candied ginger with air. Lively and expansive on the palate, offering intense citrus, orchard and pit fruit flavors and suave mineral and floral nuances. Shows fine delineation and spicy cut on the finish, which leaves honeysuckle and chamomile notes behind.

Wine Advocate (94)

More layered, rich and sexy than the 2013, the 2012 St Joseph is a beautiful, medium to full-bodied, fabulously textured red that's loaded with notions of ripe red and black fruits, olives, bay leaf and violets. It's approachable today, yet will evolve gracefully through 2030.

Vinous (93)

Opaque ruby. Highly expressive aromas of candied red and blue fruit, along with suggestions of exotic flowers, olive paste and smoky minerals. Sweet, penetrating and seamless on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, blueberry and floral pastille flavors that become deeper and fleshier with air. Pure and sharply focused, finishing with outstanding clarity, sneaky, well-knit tannins and a lingering violet quality.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2016 Saint-Joseph from Pierre Gonon has gained power and depth since I last tasted it. Revealing a delicate, perfumed bouquet of dark cherries, black olives, tapenade and violet, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and precise, with a seamless texture and a fleshy core of fruit framed by velvety tannins, culminating in a long, energetic finish.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2016 Saint-Joseph from Pierre Gonon has gained power and depth since I last tasted it. Revealing a delicate, perfumed bouquet of dark cherries, black olives, tapenade and violet, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and precise, with a seamless texture and a fleshy core of fruit framed by velvety tannins, culminating in a long, energetic finish.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2016 Saint-Joseph from Pierre Gonon has gained power and depth since I last tasted it. Revealing a delicate, perfumed bouquet of dark cherries, black olives, tapenade and violet, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and precise, with a seamless texture and a fleshy core of fruit framed by velvety tannins, culminating in a long, energetic finish.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2017 Saint Joseph offers up effusive notes of mint, black olives and black cherries. As usual, the Gonons have managed to combine herbal, savory and fruity elements into a compelling, harmonious whole. The wine is medium to full-bodied and fully ripe, perhaps not quite as lush and fruit-driven as the 2018, but it's still a tremendous success, capped off by gentle tannins and salted licorice on the long finish.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2017 Saint Joseph offers up effusive notes of mint, black olives and black cherries. As usual, the Gonons have managed to combine herbal, savory and fruity elements into a compelling, harmonious whole. The wine is medium to full-bodied and fully ripe, perhaps not quite as lush and fruit-driven as the 2018, but it's still a tremendous success, capped off by gentle tannins and salted licorice on the long finish.

Vinous (95)

Deep violet. Intensely perfumed, mineral-accented aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, licorice, exotic spices and potpourri, along with an exotic suggestion of incense. Stains the palate with concentrated black raspberry, cassis, bitter cherry and fruitcake flavors that are given spicy lift by a suggestion of white pepper. A violet pastille nuance emerges with aeration and carries through an extremely long, youthfully tannic finish that shows outstanding definition and mineral thrust.

Vinous (95)

Deep violet. Intensely perfumed, mineral-accented aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, licorice, exotic spices and potpourri, along with an exotic suggestion of incense. Stains the palate with concentrated black raspberry, cassis, bitter cherry and fruitcake flavors that are given spicy lift by a suggestion of white pepper. A violet pastille nuance emerges with aeration and carries through an extremely long, youthfully tannic finish that shows outstanding definition and mineral thrust.

James Suckling (98)

St. Joseph is often declared to be a second tier appellation in the Northern Rhone, but here’s proof that it can play in the first league of the region. This has an incredibly deep nose of ripe blackberries, other forest berries and smoke. On the barely full-bodied palate it is simultaneously rich, focused and extremely complex with very graceful fine tannins and stacks of stony minerality at the breathtakingly fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2022 Saint-Joseph from Pierre Gonon is a beauty. Despite a slightly introverted bouquet, it is bursting with aromas of cherries, black olive, violet, dark berries and blueberry. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and layered with a textural attack, it's pure with a fleshy core of fruit framed by supple tannins and a refreshing perfumed mid-palate that culminates in an ethereal, long and delicately floral finish. Despite a dry vintage, this refined, precise wine is full of freshness. It will require patience (10 to 15 years). Kudos!