2023 Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Saint-Joseph, Clos Florentin

Clos Florentin is a single 1-hectare walled parcel in Mauves, one of the original historical centers of Saint-Joseph before the appellation expanded north and south. The site sits on granite with a layer of loess, which gives the wine a bit more breadth than the steeper, more skeletal terraces nearby.

Chave farms this parcel separately and vinifies it on its own, with native fermentations and about 18 months in large foudre. Production is tiny—usually just a few barrels—so it rarely shows up outside of strong Rhône cellars.

2023 brings more fruit to the surface, but the structure holds—dark berries, olive, and pepper, with a rounder feel that reflects both the site and the vintage.