Coming from a warmer terroir just south of Mauves, the 2022 Saint Joseph Clos Florentin would be hard to identify as Saint Joseph in a blind tasting given its incredible polish, elegance, and more perfumed, red fruit-driven profile. Don't let that deter you, however, as it's a singular, incredibly gorgeous wine. Black raspberries, redcurrants, loamy earth, flowery incense, and spice-driven notes define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, layered mouthfeel and almost velvety tannins. It should have plenty of early accessibility, yet given its balance as well as its depth, I wouldn't be surprised to see it have two decades or more of longevity. 93-95pts Jeb Dunnuck

Clos Florentin is a tiny, walled parcel near Mauves, planted to Syrah on granite and loess soils, and farmed by the Chave family with the same meticulous care as their Hermitage vineyards. It was acquired and replanted by Jean-Louis Chave in the early 2000s and has quickly become one of the most singular and refined expressions of Saint-Joseph.

The 2022 vintage offers a pitch-perfect balance of ripeness and restraint: aromas of blackberry, violets, black olive, and cracked pepper, with a palate that’s silky and vertical, driven by fine tannins and electric acidity. There’s no heaviness—just a graceful unfolding of savory, mineral depth.

Fermented with native yeasts, partially whole-cluster, and aged in mostly neutral barrels, Clos Florentin feels more like a grand cru Burgundy with Syrah soul. It's contemplative, cellar-worthy, and a clear standout in the Chave lineup.