St Joseph Wines, Northern Rhone Valley: 10 Brilliant Bottles, Prices

Situated on the right bank of the Rhône river, St Joseph is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône Valley. 

St Joseph is renowned for its age-worthy reds made with the Syrah grape variety. This historic wine region also produces a small percentage of white wine blends made with Marsanne and Roussanne.

In this article, we'll cover some quick facts about the historic St Joseph appellation, its vineyard lands, the ten best St Joseph wines to buy in 2023, and their investment potential.

Quick Facts About The Historic Saint Joseph Appellation

Here are some interesting facts about the historic Saint Joseph vineyard lands: 

How big is the Saint Joseph appellation?

The Saint Joseph appellation covers 1,200 hectares under vine, stretching from Cornas in the north to Condrieu in the south. 

The appellation was established in 1956 and originally consisted of only six communes:

• Glun
• Lemps
• Mauves
• St. Jean de Muzols
• Tournon
• Vion

Today, it comprises 26 communes and approximately 115 active growers. 

What are the main St Joseph wine styles?

This Northern Rhone Valley wine region produces mostly Syrah-dominant red wine. 

While the appellation also produces some excellent varieties of St Joseph Blanc, it accounts for only one-tenth of the total production. 

• Red wine: The proprietary red wines of St Joseph must be made with at least 90% of the Syrah grape variety.

Most of these wines can be consumed immediately. However, a few exceptional vintages can age for decades.

These special vintages tend to rival the great wines of Cote Rotie and Hermitage.

• White wine: St Joseph Blanc is usually a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne in varying proportions.

How are St Joseph wines made?

Most Saint Joseph wine producers prefer to use stainless steel tanks for vinification.  

The aging takes place in a barrel for approximately 12 to 15 months with varying percentages of new and old French oak barrels and demi-muids. 

Who are the top wine producers in St Joseph?

Here are some of the most prominent producers from the southern and northern zones of this historic Rhone Valley appellation: 

Southern Zone:

• Domaine Raymond Trollat
• Pierre and Jean Gonon
• Domaine Jean Louis Chave
• Domaine Bernard Gripa
• Domaine Coursodon
• Paul Jaboulet Aine
• Domaine Eric et Joel Durand
• Domaine Aléofane (Natacha Chave)
• Domaine Alain Voge
• Michel & Stephane Ogier
• Domaine Guy Farge
• Ferraton Pere & Fils

Northern Zone: 

• Etienne Becheras
• Domaine Monier Perreol
• Cave Yves Cuilleron
• Lionel Faury
• Gilles Barge
• Andre Perret 

Fun Fact: Saint Joseph vineyard also refers to an Ohio-based winery known for its signature Pinot Noir wine. The winery has now been sold and renamed Baci Winery. 

The 10 Best St Joseph Wines To Buy In 2023

Here are some of the most fabulous St Joseph wines you should try: 

1. 2018 Delas Freres Saint Joseph Sainte Epine ($44)
2. 2015 Pierre Gonon Saint Joseph ($259)
3. 2016 E. Guigal Saint-Joseph 'Cuvee Lieu Dit Saint Joseph' ($68)
4. 2004 Domaine Raymond Trollat Saint Joseph ($1,929)
5. 2016 M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Blanc 'Les Granits' ($109)
6. 2017 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph 'Clos Florentin' ($336)
7. 2017 Domaine Yves et Mathilde Gangloff Saint Joseph Rouge ($93)
8. 2018 M. Chapoutier Le Clos ($163)
9. 2015 E. Guigal Saint Joseph Vignes de L'Hospice ($98)
10. 2016 Domaine Jean Louis Chave Saint Joseph' Clos Florentin ($435)

1. 2018 Delas Freres Saint Joseph Sainte Epine, France ($44)

This is a full-bodied red wine that unveils opulent aromas of cedar and vanilla. It has a rich and velvety texture with ripe tannins, plum, and black cherry flavors. Wine Spectator has given this vintage a 95 point rating.  

2. 2015 Pierre Gonon Saint Joseph, France ($259)

This Saint Joseph wine by Pierre and Jean Gonon exhibits a rich black fruit flavor with hints of olive and dark chocolate. It has an opulent floral nose and 15-20 years of aging potential. 

3. 2016 E. Guigal Saint-Joseph 'Cuvee Lieu Dit Saint Joseph', France ($68)

This Marcel Guigal wine is a blend of 92% Marsanne and 8% Roussanne and exudes complex aromas of toasted hazelnuts and honey. It's a full-bodied wine with lingering notes of orange marmalade, white peach, and toasted marshmallow. 

4. 2004 Domaine Raymond Trollat Saint Joseph, France ($1,929)

The 2004 Domaine Raymond Trollat is loaded with densely concentrated ripe fruit, sweet oak, and spice. This wine is young and fresh and promises to get richer and riper with age. 

5. 2016 M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Blanc 'Les Granits', France ($109)

Sourced from 60 to 80-year-old vine plantings, this pure Marsanne is one of the top white St Joseph wines. It opens up with delicate aromas of toasted grain, tangerine, and melon, along with densely concentrated flavors of mulberry and black fruit. 

6. 2017 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph 'Clos Florentin', France ($336)

This vintage exhibits notes of Asian five-spice powder and a hint of blueberry. It has a flavor of chocolate, licorice, and pepper on the palate and can be cellared for at least a decade.

7. 2017 Domaine Yves et Mathilde Gangloff Saint Joseph Rouge ($93)

This Yves Cuilleron red wine has a dominant black currant tasting note with hints of herbs and pure cashmere tannins. It's a medium-bodied wine that opens up with beautiful aromas of spice, caramel, and cinnamon.

8. 2018 M. Chapoutier Le Clos ($163)

This wine flaunts a golden-yellow tinge and reveals floral aromas of honeysuckle, lily, tabasco, and a hint of spice.

9. 2015 E. Guigal Saint Joseph Vignes de L'Hospice ($98)

This Marcel Guigal wine reveals a distinct black currant and mulberry tasting note. This Saint Joseph wine has a long, velvety finish and is rated 96 points by Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate.

10. 2016 Domaine Jean Louis Chave Saint Joseph' Clos Florentin ($435)

The floral and smokey notes of this vintage slowly grow on you. It has a luxurious bouquet of black cherry fruit, smooth tannins, and a pleasantly acidic mouthfeel. 

Investing in St Joseph Wines

To invest in an authentic St Joseph or any other fine wine, check out the Vinovest website.  

With Vinovest’s advanced AI-based platform, you can buy, store, and sell investment-worthy wines from all over the globe. 

The St Joseph appellation produces some great red wines that can be cellared for a decade or more and provide a great return on investment. 

For example, the 2016 Domaine Jean Louis Chave Saint Joseph 'Clos Florentin' price appreciated by 275%, from $100 in 2020 to $375 in 2021. 

St Joseph’s Syrah red wines have also performed incredibly well at auctions. For example, at a New York Sotheby’s auction in 2019: 

• Six bottles of the 2005 Pierre Gonon Saint-Joseph were sold for $2,728.
• Six bottles of the 2012 vintage of the same wine were sold for $1,984. 

Best Food Pairings With St Joseph Wines

Serve your St Joseph red wines at approximately 14 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit)  with:

• Grilled meat dishes
• Beef short ribs
• Oxtail
• Black pudding 

The white wine blends are best served at 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) along with dishes like Aioli, Andouillette, and Artichokes Risotto.

The Unique Vineyard And Terroir Of The St Joseph Wine Region

This Rhone Valley appellation is approximately 60 kilometers long from north to south, which is why it packs such a wide variety of terroirs and wine styles. 

Here are some of the key characteristics of the two St Joseph sub-regions: 

1. South Zone

The South zone has a slightly warmer climate, which helps the grapes ripen several days earlier than usual. 

Its steep slopes consist of gneiss, solid granite, and mica-rich schist soils, which are perfect for growing the Syrah grape variety. 

The south zone is also planted with quite a few old vines, resulting in powerful, structured, and age-worthy Rhone wines.

Three of its most prominent communes - Tournon, Mauves, and St Jean de Muzols were also part of the founding six villages. 

2. North Zone

The soil in the north also consists of granite. However, the granite here is much younger and slightly loose.

Nonetheless, the north also produces some long-lived St Joseph wines.

These wines tend to be slightly more peppery and a little less structured. 

The most prominent communes from this region include Charnas and Chavanay. 

The villages of St Joseph are rapidly moving towards biodynamic farming practices led by Michael Chapoutier and the local cooperatives. 

Grab An Exceptional St Joseph Wine Today

St Joseph’s red and white wines are among some of the best Northern Rhone wines. 

These iconic wines can be a great centerpiece for your dinner table. The red wines, in particular, are also age-worthy, which makes them a good addition to your wine cellar. 

So, sign up on Vinovest today, and grab a St Joseph red or any other fine wine with just a few clicks of your mouse.