Marc de Saint-Joseph 2000

After a bleak start to the year owing to frosts in spring, the 1998 vintage was saved by an exceptionally long and warm summer in the Rhône Valley. The granitic terroirs of Saint-Joseph result in wines with a strong character and excellent ageing potential. This Eau-de-vie is made from the distillation of our Saint-Joseph marcs (100% Syrah) from the 1998 vintage in our traditional alembic column still which is made entirely from copper. It was then aged in 228-litre French oak barrels for 20 years. This ageing process has allowed it to develop a copper hue with bronze tints over time. The first nose reveals aromas of prunes and roasted walnuts which evolve towards notes of Sencha tea and vanilla. The marc is smooth on entry to the palate and shows salinity at first followed by notes of rancio and underpinned by raisins, undergrowth and vanilla. The finish offers a combination smoky notes, citrus zest and curry. The progressive evaporation of alcohol over the years (known as the ‘angels’ share’) has brought the natural alcohol by volume down to 42 degrees.