Pierre Gonon St. Joseph

This felt a bit muted, still delicious (some reduction initially, olives, blackberry, pepper, the usual) but not the explosive Gonon that I was expecting. Perhaps a slightly muted phase, or should have decanted for a bit longer. Need to rebuy and retaste in a few years.

2016 vintage

Walkaround tasting hosted by a merchant. Dark cherry fruit, smoky a bit of darker leathery notes. The 2016 did no longer have the distinct spiciness of the 2023. But the palate was a show-stopper. Amazingly light, fresh and fruity. The fruit itself becoming almost Pinot-like light red berry in style.

2016 vintage

Walkabout tasting, no detailed notes. Top showings at Gonon, so much aroma here, well managed tannins, caressing, ripe, structured. The 2023 may even have the edge over the also grand 2016.

2016 vintage

Dekantert to timer. Drukket uten matf�lge for � sjekke status. Nese med tett frukt preget av krekling, sorte oliven, hengt kj�tt og jern/blod. Middels + fylde og tannin, veldig frisk stil. Krekling, skogsb�r, urter, kj�tt og tydelig sort oliven i munnen. Tapte mye frukt p� dag 2 dessverre. Supert eksempel p� Saint-Joseph.

2016 vintage

Un vin � la robe profonde, dense. Un nez de graphite, de fruits noirs, des notes poivr�es, empyreumatiques. La bouche est dense, verticale. Un vin qui passe � la limite de la finesse et de la puissance. L'accord fonctionne avec du pigeon mais il faudrait quelque chose d'un peu plus puissant et sauvage comme de l'agneau. A noter que le vin se pr�sente mieux le lendemain, plus fruit�, expressif. J'aurais pu la carafer. Peut encore �tre attendu pour les amateurs …

2016 vintage

The 2016 Saint-Joseph by Pierre Gonon is a stunning example of mature Northern Rh�ne Syrah at its peak. Perfectly evolved yet vibrantly alive, it offers a captivating balance between savory depth and refined freshness. The nose opens with notes of black pepper, grilled meat, and smoky herbs, seamlessly intertwined with both dark and red fruit nuances. On the palate, it combines the juicy intensity of freshly seared pepper steak with an effortless drinkability. Medium-high acidity provides lift and precision, perfectly …

2016 vintage

15x Syrah & Shiraz : The stylistic breath of Syrah was on full display in this tasting: this grape can shift between Burgundian finesse and muscular intensity, between classical austerity and modern richness. Some of the stars present, fully delivered on the expectations (Grange, Guigal La Mouline, Gonon) while others (both Chave Hermitage vintages, Chapoutier) did not show well. Overall, there was a sense of disappointment in the room, as too many bottles did not show well - in my …

2016 vintage

Syrah vs. Shiraz - blind shootout : A sensational wine, the 2016 Saint-Joseph bursts from the glass with aromas of farmyard, cured meat, dark fruit, black pepper and Proven�al herbs. The palate is defined by real tannic grip, buffering the fruit with precision and energy. A touch of pyrazine complexity adds lift to this profound and characterful Syrah.

2016 vintage

This was slow-owed for 10h. A finer, lighter style. Some mineral notes of coal with an almost Pinot-esque fruit. Base of foliage and moist earth. Black olives. The palate came across slightly rustic, tannins felt somewhat unripe and the mid-palate weight is rather light. This may well need another 10-20 years to show its true potential. At this stage I would suggest a hardcore decant of 6h+.

2016 vintage

Deep purple with a slight garnet edge. Loads of white pepper. Smoky salami, bacon drippings, blueberry, maybe 50% of fruit remaining, bright, violet floral. Medium- body, tannins are fine and still fairly present, maybe 30% relaxed. Acid is nice and high. Developing very nicely. Would easily last another decade+, but I like it at this age.

2016 vintage

still going strong

2016 vintage

Puissant mais elegant. Rac� et long en bouche. Pr�t � boire mais sans urgence

2016 vintage

Color: dark ruby red with violet edges Wonderfully intense and aromatic nose, initially with an overwhelming fruity component, mainly dark berries, followed by the typical Gonon aromas of gamey notes, black pepper and olive tapenade. A hint of herbs comes through at the end. Very elegant on the palate. Here, too, there is an impressive youthful abundance of fruit, very dark blackberries and some cherry. This fruity sweetness is wonderfully surrounded by the spicy notes of olives, peppery hints and …

2016 vintage

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2016 vintage

Corked.

2016 vintage

100% organically farmed Syrah grown on predominantly granitic soil, including some centenarian vines from Trollat's lieu-dit Aubert. Vinified mostly in whole bunches, 20% destemmed. Fermented spontaneously in open-top oak fermenters with 2 to 3-week maceration. Aged for 18-24 months in old foudres and 600-liter demi-muids Bottled with ~50 mg/l SO2. 13,5% alcohol. Tasted half-blind. Moderately opaque black cherry color. The nose feels moderately reductive and a bit closed but also still pretty fresh with aromas of ferrous blood and crunchy …

2016 vintage

Wines in France; 4/10/2025-4/20/2025 : Domaine tasting. Jean said that this wine was reduced for a while but is more expressive now. Explosive nose that was similar to the '15 that I had two weeks ago, undoubtedly a knockout vintage for Gonon.

2016 vintage

Gonon vertical tasting (Paradise Taka) : Prominent dense complex aromas, pure yet with finesse, palate a little lacking coming after 2015 but still very good, lovely acid with long finish, touch funky with peppery notes.

2016 vintage

Gonon vertical : Served this alongside the '15 to save the best for last. This was gorgeous and brimming with potential, but slightly coiled up today compared to the more expressive '15. Palate had more restraint than the '15 with silkier tannins. Superbly poised but just needs more time.

2016 vintage

Dense dark fruit core. Herbal freshness. Black pepper. Dusty cellar. Intense and lots of power backing up the wine. Savoury long finish.

2016 vintage

The only thing that lets on that this has a little bit of age is some sediment in the glass. Otherwise it is such a youthful and gorgeous drink. Some black olive and menthol mixes it up with blood plum and cherry fruits. It has wonderful depth, a creamy mid and gravelly tannins. Everything is in such perfect balance and proportion. With air, purple flowers appear. The finish is so long and cut by fine acidity. It is so light …

2016 vintage

Mid-Aged Top Rh�nes (Jordan's Place - Chicago IL) : One year ago I found wine to be backward and needing cellar time. Tonight it was a brilliant late night pop-and-pour. Black fruits were so well accented by so much underlying spice with pepper, clove, and maybe something sweet. So good now with clear upside. My WOTN.

2016 vintage

The 2016 is gorgeous but still so young, with a bouquet that's like an herb garden infused with olive tapenade and crushed blackberries. It's youthfully wiry (just a baby) with a pretty inner sweetness contrasted by salty minerals, tart wild berry fruits and a spike of sour citrus that adds depth. The 2016 tapers off with an angular yet juicy and fresh feel, leaving nuances of rosemary and spice. The best is yet to come, yet impatient collectors can still …

2016 vintage

About three years since I last tried this. Similar notes over two nights (though better on the first). This is in a good spot, certainly at the beginning of its drinking window.

2016 vintage

Decanted 1.5 h prior to tasting. Blueberries, blackberries, lemon juice, licorice, olives, meat, stone, spices, juniper wood. Accessible, with distinct acidity and moderate tannins. Concentrated but refined, quite sophisticated actually. Drink or hold.

2016 vintage

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Pierre Gonon St. Joseph

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