Domaine Pierre Gonon is located in Mauves in the Ardèche. This family domaine spans10 hectares in the AOC Saint-Joseph. The Gonon brothers are the 4th generation to manage the family business and have become a leading light of Saint-Joseph. Loacted on very difficult terroirs, work in the vineyard here is tough. With the help of winches and hoists, the vines are cultivated by hand and never see pesticides or insecticides. The wines are sublime and have a distinct freshness. Very little of the wine is available to buy from the property and cuvées are snapped up by enthusiasts.

An emblematic figure of Saint-Joseph and a rising star of the Rhône, Pierre Gonon has here crafted a cuvée using old, organically grown vines and traditional vinification. This is a fine wine, intense in colour and marked by a particularly complex aromatic bouquet. We get the typical Syrah notes of dark fruit, violet and pepper, brought together with a hint of leather and black olive. Dense but lifted by a certain freshness, the palate is characterful, reminding us that this wine will reward a good ten years of ageing before being served with similarly interesting dishes.