The Saint-Joseph appellation stretches across around fifty hillsides and terraces, but Sainte-Épine covers barely one hectare, located in the commune of Saint-Jean de Muzols, in a natural ampitheatre facing southeast. The soil is composed of decomposed granite, a geological counterpart to that of Les Bessards in Hermitage, and it imparts to Syrah a mineral, taut, and vibrant framework. To reveal the quintessence and singularity of a great terroir in the southern part of the Saint-Joseph appellation - one marked by granite and capable of  bringing forth the elegant dimension of a wine that is, by nature, rustic. A wine vibrant in its minerality, massive in its tannic structure, with a restrained aromatic profile that evokes smoked pork and meat. All the strength and mystery of Saint-Joseph are captured in this wine of both heart and substance. 

The Sainte-Épine grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. Upon arrival at the winery, the berries are destemmed and transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. During the early stages of fermentation, gentle extraction is carried out through carefully measured pump-overs and punch-downs. After pressing, the wine is racked and transferred to barrels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels. An ageing period of 18 months is carried out, with 20% new oak, followed by racking and final blending in stainless steel vats three months prior to bottling. 

The wine has a signature style similar to that of Les Bessards. It contains the vigor of the granite and the "edge" of the schist softened by the suppleness of the deeper, more aerated soils. Its aging in Burgundy barrels polish it to a pebble-like smoothness, giving the wine a caressing mouthfeel. Meaty and mineral, Sainte-Épine is a top-flight Saint-Joseph. Time, once again, will give it its "thickness".

The wine has a deep ruby color with purple tinges. Its nose shows aromas of blackberries and spices, lifted by some mineral and gently wooded notes. Well concentrated, this has pure flavors that come to the palate in successive layers of varying aromas, all of equal intensity.

After a rainy end to 2022, an exceptionally dry winter and early spring led to early and uniform budburst. The wetter late spring, with no mistral winds, was offset by favorable flowering conditions, accelerating the vegetative cycle. Veraison progressed steadily in late July. The August heatwave hastened ripening in parts of the vineyard, sometimes resulting in heterogeneity between parcels. 

This wine pairs well with herb-roasted rack of lamb, grilled ribeye, beef stew with olives, pigeon with wild mushrooms.