With a nose of gunflint and suave Marsanne fruit, it has length and finesse; extremely limited availability

Hailing from a single vineyard high up on the hill above Saint-Désirat, at the middle point of the Saint-Joseph appellation, this cuvée dials up the fragrance and elegance of Monier-Pérreol’s Saint-Joseph.

If you want to experience classic flavors of northern Rhône Syrah, here is a textbook example.

Made from six vineyards that, when blended, showcase the whole of the Côte Rôtie appellation.

The nearly 120 years that Bastien Jolivet’s small plot of Syrah vines have spent drawing sustenance deep from the granite soils of Saint-Joseph have left a steely stamp on Jolivet’s Cuvée 1907.

The kind of Saint-Jo to dig into right away: smoky, layered, lush, and laced with violet, bay leaf, and black olive.

Cool in the mouth, with a whiff of smoke and game, this soulful little country Syrah will do a jig with your pâtés and terrines.

The greatest southern Saint-Josephs recall the wines of Hermitage, and the greatest northern examples resemble Côte-Rôtie. André’s are certainly among the finest, and always have great density despite their seeming weightlessness and elegant bouquet.

This perfect mix of acidity and unctuous texture gives persistent floral notes with a long almond finish.

Yearning for northern Rhône magic? Here you go. Pull a cork or more and see what I mean.