Les Iles Feray 2023 Domaine Gonon | Rhône

Gonon's cuvée Les Iles Feray is the only wine produced in the IGP Ardèche appellation. This was the wish of winemakers Pierre and Jean Gonon, who wanted to make the Saint Joseph red cuvée a more complex wine in keeping with the appellation. Indeed, a large proportion of Saint Joseph's vines are not located on hillsides like those of the Gonon wine estate. Most are located on plains, like this cuvée Ile Feray, which in reality could have been a wine classified as Saint Joseph. It was out of conviction that the Gonon wine estate downgraded this wine to IGP, but this in no way detracts from its quality.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Once again, the Gonon wine estate has shown rare honesty in choosing to downgrade this Saint Joseph to PGI, out of respect for the integrity of the true Saint Joseph terroir, which is located on the hillsides. These lowland vines are of incredible quality, the result of a unique massal selection. This is a wine that reveals itself more easily when young, but still displays great depth. A magnificent cuvée that has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of when compared with other wines from the Saint Joseph appellation.

On the nose, the wine reveals magnificent spicy notes as soon as it opens. The Syrah is ripe, concentrated and very fine at the same time. A hint of star anise and a touch of orange peel develop after a few minutes of oxygenation.

On the palate, we discover a wine of absolute gourmandise, with notes of black cherry, blackcurrant and a hint of smokiness blending with finesse. The drinkability of this wine is quite simply remarkable.