"Saint-Joseph Pierres Sèches comes from different Syrah vineyards grown on shallow, sandy, granitic soils on the hillsides of Chavanay. “Les Pierres Sèches” refers to the dry stone walls used to strengthen the vine terracing. Again, the grapes are hand-picked; they are then sorted, crushed and partially destemmed in the cellar. Fermented, using native yeasts, in open, temperature-controlled vats for about 3 weeks, with regular cap-punching and pumping-over. Malolactic-fermented in barriques, the wine will spent 18 months in barrels before bottling. Deep ruby red colour. Vibrant strawberry and mineral scents are deepened by singed earth and tobacco, with a floral quality adding energy. Sharply focused red berry flavours are pleasingly bitter and precise. Turns spicier on the long, clinging finish. This conveys very good energy." Le Caveau.