I loved the 2017 Saint Joseph Vignes De L'Hospice from barrel and it doesn't disappoint from bottle. Revealing a deep ruby/plum color as well as spicy, exotic notes of crème de cassis, toasted spice, incense, barbecue smoke, and acacia flowers, this beauty has subtle background oak, full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It offers pleasure even today yet will be at its best in 4-5 years and keep for two decades.

Vivid purple. Vibrant, highly perfumed black and blue fruit, violet and exotic spice aromas display outstanding clarity and pick up smoky mineral and olive notes with aeration. Pure, focused and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed blueberry, cherry preserve, fruitcake and violet pastille flavors that show superb depth and no rough edges. Delivers superb clarity on the impressively long, energetic finish, which features resonating floral and spice notes and suave, well-knit tannins.

A polished and toasty style, with vanilla bean and singed mesquite accents draped over a core of very substantial dark cherry and plum fruit. Fruitcake and licorice frame the finish, with a buried iron note to keep it honest. Really packed throughout. Best from 2022 through 2035. 125 cases imported.

Marked by scents of tar and black olives, cedar and clove, blackberries and cassis, the 2017 Saint-Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice is the most complex, structured and age worthy of the three Saint-Joseph cuvées. The puppy fat and jamminess that were present earlier in its élevage are largely gone, and while the wine is medium to full-bodied, it's also reserved and elegant, with shadings of crushed stone and fine-grained tannins defining the palate and lingering on the finish.