Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oakbarrel aged

Drinking window

Best 5 to 15 years from vintage.
vintage5 yrs15 yrs17 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Mineral And Savoury finish

What it pairs with

  • Slow-braised lamb shanks
    Concentrated mineral Syrah and slow-cooked lamb are a classic Northern Rhone match.
  • Venison stew with wild mushrooms
    The wine's mineral and dark fruit intensity matches gamey venison.
  • Charcuterie with local cheeses
    The wine's pepper and mineral character pairs well with artisan charcuterie.

How to serve Saint-Joseph Clos de Cuminal

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Slow-braised lamb shanks, Venison stew with wild mushrooms, Charcuterie with local cheeses. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Clos de Cuminal is a small enclosed vineyard parcel that Pierre Gaillard identified as an exceptional site for old-vine Syrah in the Saint-Joseph appellation. The wine has been a signature of the domaine since the first vintage.

  1. 1989: First vintage of Clos de Cuminal from the enclosed single-parcel vineyard

Facts

Producer
Pierre Gaillard · visiting guide
Grapes
Syrah (100%)
Classification
Saint-Joseph AOC
Oak
12-16 months in used French oak barriques
ABV
13.0%
Price
EUR 30-50 at retail
Drinking window
5-15 from vintage
First vintage
1989
Organic
ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Saint-Joseph Clos de Cuminal

What does Saint-Joseph Clos de Cuminal taste like?

Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, mineral and savoury finish.

When should I drink Saint-Joseph Clos de Cuminal?

Drink 5-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Saint-Joseph Clos de Cuminal?

Slow-braised lamb shanks is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Venison stew with wild mushrooms and Charcuterie with local cheeses. Concentrated mineral Syrah and slow-cooked lamb are a classic Northern Rhone match.

What grapes are in Saint-Joseph Clos de Cuminal?

The blend is Syrah (100%). The wine is classified as Saint-Joseph AOC.

Tags

dry firm tannin full body high acid medium term mood rustic mood savoury occasion cellar occasion dinner party old vines old world organic pairs with charcuterie pairs with game pairs with red meat price premium single vineyard still red syrah

Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Rhone Valley

Romans and Wine

Guided tour5 hours4.7 from 7 reviewsfrom €105

Discover two of the best preserved Roman monuments in the world: The Roman Theatre of Orange and the Aqueduct of the Pont du Gard (UNESCO Sites) and enjoy a wine tasti...

Check dates and book

See all 620 bookable experiences in Rhone Valley

← Back to wines in Rhone Valley