Saint-Clair Saint-Joseph “Abîmes” 2023

Denis Basset produces delicious all-Syrah red wine in Crozes-Hermitage, the modest close relation of the superstar appellations of Hermitage, Côte Rôtie and Cornas. Happily, the pricing is decidedly also modest, and over a decade or so Domaine Saint Clair has developed a loyal following among friends of Ansonia Wines. As you have heard us say before, the greatest expression of any grape comes at the northern end of its range, which explains the Northern Rhône where Syrah makes superb reds without an assist from Grenache or other red grapes from farther South.

Basset has a small plot in St. Joseph across the Rhône on a hillside so steep and hard to work that he named the cuvée “Les Abimes de l’Enfer.” St. Joseph is a sort of junior version of its next door neighbor Cornas. It is a bigger wine than the Crozes, with more tannins and more time to its peak, but it also provides excellent value. The fruits are darker than the Crozes with notes of fig, blackberry jam, spice and pepper.