Domaine Georges Vernay ‘La Dame Brune’ Saint-Joseph Rouge 2018

Location: France, Rhône, Saint-Joseph

Winemaker: Christine Vernay

Grapes: Syrah

Soil: granite

Winemaking: fManually harvested fruit placed in crates, with grapes at full maturity. Grapes are then partially-destemmed and placed in open barrels for a natural fermentation that lasted 2 to 3 weeks. Maturation occurs in barrels (30% of new wood) for 24 months.

‘La Dame Brune’: from 45-year-old Syrah vines. Exemplary minerality combined with the most beautiful Syrah notes of dark fruits, spices, pepper and black olives. In its youth it has smoothness and a remarkable structure, which will soften over time to reveal more crushed flowers, cocoa powder, and sweet tobacco.

From the importer Broadbent Selections: Founded by Francis Vernay in 1937, and located in the heart of Condrieu. The efforts of Francis Vernay were instrumental in the creation of the official Condrieu appellation in 1940. Francis was succeeded by his son Georges, who played a key role in restricting the geographical boundaries of Condrieu. In 1996, Christine Vernay, Georges’s daughter, took over as winemaker and General Manager of the Estate. She is today recognized as one of the great winemakers in France.