Saint Joseph 2011

-- Galloni: Tasted in components: #1, from Les Oliviers, in Tournon: Fresh blue fruits and violet on the nose. Lush and open-knit, with sappy boysenberry and cassis flavors and a hint of licorice on the back end. #2, from Bachasson, in Lemps: A pure granite, south-facing site in Lemps; high-pitched, mineral-accented aromas and flavors of black raspberry and bitter cherry. Precise and subtly sweet, with strong finishing lift and cut. #3, from Clos Forentin, in Mauves: Made from vines that Chave says are between 80 and 100 years of age; emphatic blueberry and violet scents and flavors, with a bright mineral overlay. Sappy and penetrating, with excellent focus and finishing sweetness. #4, from Dardouille, in Tournon: Deeply pitched dark fruit preserves and licorice on the nose. Fleshy and broad, with very good depth and chewy blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors. Gripping tannins shape a long, sappy finish. The final wine should be a bright, mineral-driven example of Saint-Joseph, with lots of upfront appeal but the balance to age. 91-94/100