Appellation
Red Saint-Joseph
• The vineyard stretches from Chavanay in the north, to Guilherand in the south, over about fifty kilome­ters along the right bank of the Rhône : it covers 23 "communes" in the Ardèche, and 3 in the Loire.
• The soils are light and stony, with schist and gneiss over a granite base.
• The climate is moderately continen­tal, with hot and dry summers, and regular rainfalls the rest of the year.
• Exposure : south and south-east.
• History : the wines were reputed in the 16th century for their delicacy, and were drunk at the table of the kings of France. It was the Jesuits (a monk community) of Tournon who gave the area its current name, in the 17th cen­tury. Between 1956 and 1969, this sec­tion of what used to be called Côtes du Rhône was re-arranged under the appellation Saint-Joseph.
• Production area : 1,005 hectares (2,482 acres), for an annual crop of 36,000 hectoliters (400,000 cases). Authorized maximum yield is 40 hec­toliters/hectare (2,3 US tons/acre).
Characteristic
• This wine is the result of a blend of grapes from the terroirs of Vion, Saint-Jean de Muzols, Mauves and Tournon.
• Average production : 20,000 bottles (75 cl) per year.
• Grape variety : 100% Syrah.
Wine making
The grapes for the cuvée "François de Tournon" are picked by hand, raw by raw, at optimum ripeness. Fermentation is traditional, in open-topped concrete tanks, and is precee-ded by 2 days cold maceration. It is conducted at controlled temperatures of 82°F to 90°F (28° to 32°C). Daily cap pushing down and pumping over are carried out for about 10 days. The total maceration period lasts up to 20 days. After drawing-off and pressing, malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels.
Ageing
The wine is matured for between 10 and 14 months in oak barrels of 1 to 3 years. These are regularly topped-up.
Tasting
The colour is a deep, dark ruby red with garnet wick gourmet reflection. The nose is clearly marked by delicate aromas of cassis and spices. On the palate, "François de Tournon" shows a tender, voluptuous texture that masks a good tannic structure, fine and silky. Will age well.
Harmony between wine and food
Fine meats, spicy stews, grills, games, any kind of cheeses.
