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Philippe Desbos' approach is based on his respect for tradition, not because of a tendency but bades on the his belief that it makes better wines. Far from all viticultural and technological innovations, he produces his Saint-Joseph from the "fillet" of the great wine-growing zone, following techniques used by his ancestors. He plows the vineyard with the help of his horse, treads the grapes with his feet, presses them in a vertical wooden press that is about 150 years old, ripens them in old foudres for 16 months and bottles them unfiltered and without clarification using minimal sulphites. His Vieilles Vignes is wonderfully aromatic with violets, black cherries and peppery elements. On the palate it has elegance and gentleness without lacking tension and structure. Lovely, without excess, it's hard to imagine a more classic Syrah with all the elements of its fantastic granite terroir.