The 2020 Pierre Gonon St Joseph Syrah from Domaine Gonon is a highly acclaimed wine from the Northern Rhone region of France, specifically the St Joseph appellation. Known for its remarkable quality, this red wine has garnered impressive reviews from professional critics.
James Suckling awarded this wine an outstanding score of 98 points, emphasizing its ability to elevate the St. Joseph appellation to new heights. Suckling notes, "This has an incredibly deep nose of ripe blackberries, other forest berries and smoke." He praises its complexity and balance, highlighting "very graceful fine tannins and stacks of stony minerality at the breathtakingly fresh finish." The wine is crafted from organically grown grapes, which adds to its appeal. Suckling concludes that it can be enjoyed now or held for future enjoyment.
Jeb Dunnuck also provides a commendable review, rating the 2020 Saint Joseph with 94 points. Dunnuck describes it as "gorgeously rich and textured," with medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of "ripe black fruits, roasted herbs, and earth, floral nuances." He points out the wine’s structure and tannic grip, suggesting that it deserves a few years of aging to reach its full potential. Dunnuck believes it will evolve gracefully over the next decade, showcasing its brilliance as a Saint Joseph wine.
Vinous, represented by Nicolas Greinacher, echoes the praise with another 94-point rating. Greinacher highlights the wine's refined nature, noting its "great concentration and a juicy core of red fruits." He mentions additional layers of "pencil shavings, crushed violets, and cedar," which contribute to its complexity. The 2020 Saint Joseph is described as maintaining "spot-on balance" and is neatly framed by polished tannins. Greinacher concludes that while it may be less ripe and flamboyant than previous vintages like 2018 and 2019, it offers more substance than the 2021, finishing with lifting energy on a savory note.
Overall, the 2020 Pierre Gonon St Joseph Syrah is a highly rated wine that showcases the best of what the St Joseph appellation can offer. Its complexity, balance, and potential for aging make it a standout choice for wine enthusiasts.