Pierre Gonon, Ardeche Les Iles Feray, 2016

Pierre Gonon is a legend of the Northern Rhone, best known for benchmark Saint-Joseph, and Les Iles Feray is the family's more affordable Ardeche cuvee: 100% Syrah from organically farmed vines. It's aromatic, floral and silky, a medium-bodied Syrah full of cherry and raspberry that shows the Gonon style in miniature. The 2016 was an excellent, balanced Northern Rhone vintage, and at around a decade old this is drinking beautifully, fresh but with maturing complexity. A wonderful way to taste a great name without the Saint-Joseph price. Drink now.