2018 M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Les Granilites, Rhone Valley

As always, the 2018 Saint-Joseph Les Granilites shows more crushed-stone minerality than the Deschants bottling. It's also deeper and richer, with blueberries and raspberries that show an extra dimension of freshness and precision. It's medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish that bodes well for the future.

92-94 points Joe Czerwinski robertparker.com

As has become my habit, I scheduled a full morning with Michel Chapoutier and his team to taste through the company's wines from the Northern Rhône. The fascination here with individual wines of terroir means that the number of bottlings has grown considerably over the years, and the session always includes wines from several partnerships Chapoutier has with other personalities, like renowned chefs in the Pic Chapoutier and Michael Alléno and Michel Chapoutier wines (reviews listed separately). It was fascinating to sample the 2017s and 2018s in such close proximity, as some cuvées/appellations seemed to have fared better in 2017, while others look potentially better in 2018. At the very top end, you can't go wrong with any of the sélections parcellaires from either vintage.

Nice intensity of wild dark berry notes (blackcurrant, blackberries), mineral notes (graphite), underscored by lovely, smooth oakiness. Palate: soft and well-balanced.