2023 Yves Cuilleron St Joseph Les Serines, Northern Rhone

Another brilliant Saint-Joseph from Cuilleron, the 2023 Saint Joseph Les Serines has black raspberries, sandalwood, spice, and candied flower and violet nuances on the nose. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. It has an almost Côte-Rôtie-like balance and texture, and I'd give it 3-4 years of bottle age to work through its baby fat before enjoying bottles over the following decade. Drink 2029-2036.

93 points Jeb Dunnuck

Yves Cuilleron is one of the Northern Rhône's most admired winemakers, celebrated for crafting wines that faithfully express the individuality of each appellation. Les Serines pays tribute to the region's ancient Syrah clone, producing a Saint-Joseph that combines purity, spice and elegance with the unmistakable character of the Rhône's steep granite slopes.

The 2023 vintage delivered beautifully balanced fruit, with warm days and cool nights encouraging outstanding flavour development while preserving freshness and aromatic lift. Carefully selected fruit from granite hillside vineyards and thoughtful oak maturation have produced a wine of depth, harmony and regional authenticity.

Deep ruby with purple highlights, the bouquet reveals aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry layered with cracked black pepper, violets and smoked bacon. As the wine unfolds, notes of liquorice, olive tapenade and subtle spice emerge, adding complexity and classic Northern Rhône character. The palate is beautifully structured, combining concentrated dark fruits with fine tannins, vibrant acidity and a distinctive mineral thread. Powerful yet poised, the finish is long, savoury and wonderfully persistent.

A magnificent partner for roast lamb, chargrilled rib eye, duck breast, game meats or mushroom dishes. Equally rewarding now with a generous decant or after careful cellaring, this is a benchmark Saint-Joseph from one of the Rhône's leading producers.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2038.