The L’Olivaie cuvee from Pierre and Jérôme Coursodon is a 100% syrah grown on shallow granitic soils in Saint Joseph in the northern Rhone Valley.  The vines are densely planted at some 8500 vines per hectare and yields low, with only 32 hectolitres per hectare taken.  So, all the ingredients for good wine.  In the glass, it’s a medium intensity ruby in appearance, with aromatics that remind of pepper, green peppercorns, plums and graphite characters.  Typical Saint Joseph.  The palate is balanced with medium length and little tannin to speak of.  Oak characters do not feature, with only 15% new oak used.  Ready to drink now, this is an elegant and charming style.  Good

Abv: not recorded, Price: $80, Vendors and website: http://www.domaine-coursodon.com, Tasted: 2015