Domaine Courbis Saint Joseph les Royes 2020
This 2020 Domaine Courbis Les Royes Saint‑Joseph offers an elegant interplay of violet‑tinged blue fruit and graphite framed by a subtle scorched‑wood whisper. Medium to full‑bodied with refined tannins and seamless texture it exudes poised power and layered intensity.
Tasting
- Aroma
- violet‑tinged blue fruits and graphite
- Palate
- medium‑full body with seamless texture and ripe tannins
- Finish
- layered intensity with lingering spice
Pairs with
- grilled lamb
- game birds
- pepper‑crusted beef
- aged cheese
Vineyard & Cellar
- Yield
- 25 hl/ha
From the Archive
100% Syrah. The terraced, cliff-like Saint-Joseph Les Royes vineyard is a spectacular “cirque” or extremely steep amphitheater. It is located at the southern limit of the Saint-Joseph appellation, on the border of Cornas. The exposition is to the south-east, so the amphitheater retains the heat of the day, while completely protecting the vines from northerly winds. The soil is a mixture of clay, granite, and limestone (the latter being the source of the small amount of Les Royes Blanc.) Yields are a miniscule 25 hl/ha and the vines average 30 years of age. The Syrah grapes for Les Royes Rouge are given a three week maceration period and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged 100% in barrels, of which 1/3 are new; 1/3 one wine and 1/3 two wines. After 12-14 months in cask, the wine is assembled and aged for 3 additional months in tank before bottling. A profound and complex wine with sweet black cherry-raspberry fruit, notes of minerals and smoke, and ripe tannins that give it remarkable structure.