Guigal St Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice Rouge 2015 (750ML)

96 WS / 96 WA / 94+ JD / 17 JR

This ripples with stunning raspberry and boysenberry coulis flavors, inlaid liberally with anise and apple wood notes and carrying through a well-defined finish. Lush in feel overall, with a mocha note draped over everything, keeping terrific energy in reserve. Best from 2020 through 2030. From France.— J.M. Wine Spectator

The most impressive vintage of this wine I can recall tasting, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice is an awesome Saint-Joseph. Visitors to the region can easily spot the steep vineyard just above the town of Tournon when looking across the Rhône from Tain l'Hermitage. Aged in 100% new oak, the wine still shows hints of cedar and vanilla on the nose but also notes of crushed stone and black cherries. It's full-bodied but kept in check by a touch of granite-like austerity that gives the palate shape and length, while the firm tannins glide away in a silky wash on the finish. Almost approachable now, I suspect it will drink well through at least 2035. JC – The Wine Advocate

I was able to taste three vintages of the Vignes de Hospice. This cuvée comes from a cooler, east-facing, incredibly gorgeous vineyard located just above the town of Tournon. The soils here are pure broken granite and are just about identical to what’s found in the Bessards lieu-dit on Hermitage hill. The 2015 Saint Joseph Vignes Des Hospices tastes like a Hermitage with its awesome cassis fruits and huge minerality. It shows more meatiness as well as subtle background oak with air, is full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and concentrated. This is pure granite goodness that needs 3-4 years or bottle age. - Jeb Dunnuck

Smoky nose. At the moment a little less glamorous than the Lieu-Dit. More sinewy and classic. Should age well though. - Jancis Robinson