Domaine Bernard Gripa : Saint-Joseph 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the 2024 Saint-Joseph from Domaine Bernard Gripa

Tasting

This red Saint-Joseph reveals a light to medium body, taut and spicy, carried by fine, elegant tannins, far from the density of more structured vintages. Its drinkability and freshness are highlighted by a moderate alcohol level, in keeping with the appellation's reds from the 2024 vintage, while the Syrah expresses itself in a precise, fruit-driven way, true to the careful approach to ageing that defines the estate's style.

Serving and cellaring

In line with the 2024 red Saint-Joseph wines, this wine will be best enjoyed relatively young, in order to make the most of its fragrance and aromatic delicacy.

A Spicy, Fresh Red Saint-Joseph from Domaine Bernard Gripa

The estate

Domaine Bernard Gripa, whose EARL was founded in 2001, is located in Mauves, in the heart of the Saint-Joseph appellation, in the northern Rhône Valley. Descended from a family of winegrowers established in the region since the 17th century, the estate now covers around sixteen hectares, divided between Saint-Joseph and Saint-Péray. Since 2001, Fabrice Gripa has run the property, supported by his father Bernard, who pioneered estate bottling as early as the 1970s. Manual work on terraced slopes and sustainable viticulture characterise this family-run estate, well regarded within the appellation.

The vineyard

The grapes for this red Saint-Joseph come from Syrah plots planted on the steep slopes of Mauves, regarded as the historic heart of the Saint-Joseph appellation. The predominantly granitic soils force the vines to root deeply and naturally limit their vigour. The very steep gradient of these terraces makes any mechanisation impossible: all vineyard work, from pruning to harvesting, is carried out entirely by hand. The vineyard is managed according to the principles of sustainable farming, inspired by organic practices.

The vintage

In the Saint-Joseph appellation, the 2024 vintage was marked by challenging weather conditions, requiring increased vigilance and numerous treatments in vineyards managed according to principles close to organic farming, in order to protect the harvest from disease pressure. Despite this difficult context, the year is considered overall better than the 2021 vintage by specialist critics.

Vinification and ageing

As with all of the estate's cuvées, the vinification of the 2024 Saint-Joseph favours hand harvesting and a minimal-intervention approach, in order to preserve the purity of the Syrah fruit. Ageing is carried out with particular care, in barrels of various sizes and ages, to add structure without masking either the expression of the fruit or that of Mauves' granitic terroir.

Grape variety

This wine is made from 100% Syrah, the sole grape variety in Domaine Bernard Gripa's red Saint-Joseph wines, grown on the granitic slopes of Mauves.