Bernard Gripa Saint Joseph Rouge 2023: Deep Fruit, Fine Structure
Red 13.5% ABV ABV Bernard Gripa
9 March 2026
Great Syrah, would buy again
The guy at my local wine shop pointed me towards this when I said I liked Northern Rhône stuff. Really nice raspberry and cherry on the nose, and the tannins are smooth without being wimpy. Herbs and spice on the mid-palate give it some real depth. Solid pick.
2 March 2026
Kept getting better in the glass
Opened this a bit early and it was quite tight at first, but after 30 mins it really opened up — loads of cherry and dark fruit with this lovely earthy quality underneath. By the end of the bottle I was completely sold. The 13.5% ABV keeps it from being too heavy which I appreciate.
16 February 2026
Perfect with lamb
Had this with slow-cooked lamb shoulder and honestly it was one of those nights where everything just clicked. The earthy, herby thing it's got going on matched the food perfectly. Warming finish too — we sat with the last glasses for ages after dinner.
23 November 2025
Wow this is lovely
I don't usually spend this much on wine but I'm glad I did. It smells like actual raspberries and there's this violet-floral thing that's really pretty. Full and rich but not heavy or jammy at all. Already thinking about grabbing another bottle.
13 November 2025
Good but a bit pricey
Nice enough wine — dark fruit, bit of pepper and spice, decent finish. But nearly fifty quid? I've had Crozes-Hermitages at half the price that weren't miles off this. Would drink it again happily, just wouldn't rush to buy it myself.
3 November 2025
Decent enough
Picked this up after seeing it recommended somewhere online. It's a nice Syrah — fruit forward with some spice and a dry finish that makes you want another sip. Not sure it blew me away for the price though. I'd say it's more of a treat bottle than a regular buy.
2 November 2025
Dinner party hit
Brought this to a friend's dinner party and everyone asked about it. Really smooth tannins and a long peppery finish. One mate who knows way more about wine than me said Saint-Joseph is underrated and after this I'd agree. Goes brilliantly with red meat or hard cheese.
22 October 2025
Proper grown-up wine
Bought this for my wife's birthday dinner and we both kept going back to it. The dark fruit and spice thing going on is really moreish — we finished the bottle before the main course was done. At £48 it's not an everyday buy but it felt worth it for a special night.