Jean Delobre
France, St Joseph, Bogy
Le Ferme des Sept Lunes is a 10-hectare farm perched on one of the highest areas of St Joseph. Visiting involves a tortuous 350m road-climb from the valley floor. The hair-pins are not for the faint-hearted.
The latest of three generations on the same farm, Jean converted to organic and biodynamic agriculture in 1997 and only uses sulphur in his wines when it's absolutely unavoidable. The vineyards in the upper part of St.Joseph have a south-eastern exposure, the altitude bringing freshness to the wines. The climate has been tending to Mediterranean in recent year, with wind coming from the north.
Each cuvée is site-specific; with Syrah, Roussane, Marsanne, Viognier and a bit of Gamay planted mostly on granite soils.
The wines all show great freshness and purity, the whites all have texture and tension, the reds with depth, aromatics and a fantastic juiciness.
Tell us about the new wines we have just received: 2015 Lunatik Ladyland and the 2018 Syrah Gamay
Lunatik Ladyland used to be AOC St Joseph but then it was declassified to Vin de France as it was too oxidised. You used to have the 2012 version. 2015 compared to 2012 is richer and less oxidised.
We chose to declassify the wine as we thought that when people order a classic St Joseph they will expect something entirely different. So it was better to change the name and appelation so we don't mislead our customers.It's a Roussanne Marsanne blend harvest at good maturity and aged one year in barrels then in stainless steel for another year. We then left it on the side for the wine to stabilise further.
The 2018 Syrah Gamay cuvée is an exception as usually it's only a Syrah. But that year the summer was hot so the Syrah was quite concentrated and lacking it's usual freshness. So I have then added 25% of juicy Gamay to make it more balanced. 7 days maceration, kept in fibreglass tanks.
How did the 2019 harvest go for you?
It was a hot year but in the end we had a good harvest which should give us great wines. We were very careful about choosing the harvest date, so the maturity doesn't go too far. But it was a hot year and the vines suffered.
Would you say that there was a noticeable change when it comes to temperature in the recent years?
Yes, the last three summers were very hot. Before that we've had years with fast maturity in 2003 and 2005, but it's true that the recent years are noticeably hotter.
What are your personal favourite vintages you have made to date and why?
The first one I have ever made: 2001. Beginner's luck! Then, I also like 2009 and I believe that 2017 has great potential.
Which wine fairs will we be able to see you at in the coming few months?
This weekend (23 & 24 Nov) I will be at Salon des Doubouchées in Lyon, which is a local wine fair. On the 26 & 27 of January I'll be at Les Affranchis in Montpellier and 1 & 2 of February at Salon Degustation Grenier St Jean in Angers. Next April I'll also be at Vini Circus, which sees a big mix of public as well as trade visitors.
What can you tell us about your future plans?
We would like to plant some trees and bushes in and around the vineyard. This is to protect the vines from the strong winds we are having in this area, as well as offer some shade during hot summers which are becoming more frequent now.
Wines now in stock
White
NEW 2015 (VDF) Lunatik Ladyland – Roussanne Marsanne
Red
NEW 2018 (VDF) Syrah Gamay – Syrah, Gamay
2015 (AOC Saint Joseph) Premier Quartier – Syrah
For any wholesale and stock enquiries, please contact hello@winesutb.com
