The 2020 Rive de Malva Saint-Joseph delivers aromas of black raspberries and bramble fruit, which is woven together with spices, pepper, wet stones, lavendar and hints of licorice. On the palate this with nicely balanced with medium body that is wrapped in a silky tannins which continues to impress all the way through the racy finish. A lovely wine to approach now, but should become even more compelling after some short-term cellaring.
92 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com
A very good introduction to this appellation. Quite a complex nose of black pepper, smoke and blackberry with a hint of leather. The palate is medium-bodied but focused and energetic, the gentle tannin already well integrated, the finish long and clean. Drink or hold.
Product Description:
The Rhone Valley in France consists of some of the most famous wine regions in the world. Most people are familiar with Chateauneuf du Pape in the South, or even Cote Rotie in the North.
One of our favorite areas that flies a little under the radar is St. Joseph, located in the north directly on the western bank of the Rhone River. "Rive de Malva" pays homage to the old name of this area from the Middle Ages: the "Wine of Mauves" from the Latin "Malva".
St. Joseph is most famous for their red wines made from Syrah in a more fruit-forward style than other regions in the Northern Rhone. The soils here are almost all granite and with most of the vines located on slopes facing east, the sun exposure is ideal for developing syrah with a tremendous balance of fruit and tannin.
This is a fabulous bottle of Syrah to introduce people to St. Joseph and even the Northern Rhone as a whole.
