By Cave de Tain
2020 'Esprit de Granit' Red

Vineyard Details
Location: Situated in the north, on the right bank of the Cotes-du-Rhone area
Grape Variety: Syrah
Terroir: Granite terraces
Climate: Continental with a Mediterranean influence

Winemaking Notes
Plot selection of old vines (35 years on average) and 'showcase' vineyards, vinified separately. Hand-picked grapes. Traditional maceration in concrete vats at 28 degrees C with gentle extraction methods. Pumping-over and punching of the cap. Warm maceration at 30 degrees C for two weeks. Before malolactic fermentation, regular tastings to determine when the juice is run off into French oak barrels. Aged for 18 months in 400-liter new barrels (25%), two-wine barrels (35%), three-wine barrels (30%), and four-wine barrels (10%).

Tasting Notes
Deep and brilliant garnet red. Aromas of ripe black fruits, oriental spices, and licorice, with the typical freshness of the appellation. On the palate, racy with the typicity of granite soil. Tannins are very fine, and the finish is remarkably persistent.

Service
Serving Temperature: 16 to 18 degrees C
Food Pairings: Red meats, game birds, or unpasteurized milk cheeses
[Information provided by Cave de Tain]

2020 Cave De Tain Saint Joseph Esprit De Granit
Producer: Cave de Tain
Location: France, Rhone, Northern Rhone, Saint Joseph
Color: Red
Rating: 93+
Tasting Date: 12/15/2022
Maturity: 2024 - 2035
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Source: Northern Rhone: The 2020s and 2021s
Rocking levels of blackberries, ripe black cherries, scorched earth, graphite, and peppery herbs emerge from the 2020 Saint Joseph Esprit De Granit, a concentrated, medium to full-bodied 2020 revealing obvious minerality, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length. This serious effort warrants 2-3 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for a decade.

CAVE DE TAIN ST.-JOSEPH SELECTION PARCELLAIRE ESPRIT DE GRANIT 2020
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Vintage: 2020
Score: 90
A pleasant red with berries, mild spices and cured meat aromas on the nose. Medium body with round tannins. Fruity and supple with a juicy finish. Drink or hold.

Cave De Tain, Esprit De Granit, Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France, 2020
Producer: Cave De Tain
Wine name: Esprit De Granit
Vintage: 2020
Sub-region: Saint-Joseph
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Award: Silver
Score: 90
Colour: Red
Style: Still - Dry (below 5 g/L residual sugar)
Bottle size: 75cl
Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol level: 14.00%
Grape composition: 100% Syrah
Tasting notes: Aromatic, with blackberries and generous oak spices aromas. Structured on the palate, with firm tannins and many layers. Long finish.

2020 Cave de Tain Esprit de Granit (St. Joseph)
Points: 90
Glossy, as well as fresh, forward, round and polished, here you find a floral accented, early-drinking charmer with a blackberry, plum, and espresso-stained palate that should drink quite well on release. Drink from 2023-2035.
Tasted Oct 4, 2022