Domaine Courbis, Saint-Joseph (Rhône Valley, France) 2020 ($35, Roanoke Valley Wine Company)

Domaine Courbis is a Northern Rhône establishment that is family-owned and run, with brothers Laurent and Dominique at the helm. Their approach is to blend ancestral and modern winemaking to produce traditional and high quality wines. Their Saint-Joseph is 100% Syrah and shows both red and black fruit throughout while maintaining a classic Rhône earthiness which presents as potting soil and spice. Unlike some other Northern Rhône releases, many Saint-Joseph red wines, including this example by Domaine Courbis, are perfectly enjoyable in their youth – no further cellaring required.
91 Vince Simmon