Domaine Vincent & Alexandre Cluzel emerged in 2013 when brothers Vincent and Alexandre took the reins of their family’s historic vineyards in the heart of northern Rhône’s Saint-Joseph appellation, transforming modest holdings into a rising star estate focused on estate-grown Syrah. Nestled on the right bank of the Rhône River amid steep, terraced granite slopes, the brothers farm their parcels with meticulous care—pruning severely to limit yields, harvesting by hand, and vinifying with minimal intervention to let the rugged terroir shine through. Their minimalist approach, using concrete tanks and neutral oak for élevage, strips away excess while amplifying the vivid purity of Saint-Joseph’s schistous granitic soils, where Syrah develops its signature blend of dark fruit intensity, floral lift, and peppery minerality.

The 2022 Saint-Joseph Rouge captures a ripe yet balanced vintage in this storied appellation, drawing from the domaine’s high-elevation sites that temper summer warmth with cool nights for preserved freshness. Expect concentrated aromas of blackberry, violet, and cracked black pepper, unfolding into a dense mid-palate of blueberry compote, smoked meat, and graphite-edged tannins that build toward a long, saline finish. This wine exemplifies Cluzel’s rapid ascent: powerful yet precise Syrah that rivals pricier Côte-Rôtie neighbors, offering both immediate hedonism and the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 8-10 years.

Why You'll Love It

• Serious terroir, tiny volume: Steep, decomposed granite terraces give you classic Saint-Joseph aromatics—violet, black fruit, pepper—in a 600-case, U.S.-exclusive bottling.

• Family-run and estate-grown: Two brothers farming and vinifying all their own fruit, with low yields and a focus on purity, not bulk or branding.

• Vintage-fueled intensity: 2022’s warm, generous season delivers concentrated dark berry fruit and supple tannins without sacrificing lift or freshness.

How to Enjoy It

• Serve smart: Pour at 60–65°F after a brief chill; too warm and you’ll lose the floral lift and mineral snap that make this so compelling.

• Give it air: Decant for 45–90 minutes to let the granite-driven structure relax and the bouquet of violets, blackberry, and smoked meat fully unfurl.

• Pair with substance: Think grilled lamb, ribeye, sausages, or anything with char and spice—this Syrah’s dark fruit and peppery core love rich, savory food.