Wines Saint-Joseph Alain Voge - Cornas Les Chailles - 2021

Alain Voge’s “Cornas Les Chailles” 2021 is a fine example of the northern Rhône’s dedication to crafting expressive red wines. While its cuvée name suggests Cornas, your record points to the Saint-Joseph appellation, so let’s focus on the regional style. In the northern Rhône, reds labelled as “Les Chailles” tend to centre around Syrah—known for its intense colour, vibrant acidity, and signature aromas of black fruits, spice, and hints of violet. The 2021 vintage was marked by relatively cool conditions yielding wines with freshness and notable clarity of fruit, likely helping refine both structure and aromatic purity. Alain Voge is celebrated for traditional winemaking, often involving careful manual harvest, gentle extraction and ageing in oak barrels that lend finesse without overpowering the varietal character.

Saint-Joseph itself stretches along steep, granitic slopes hugging the Rhône river. This terroir imparts wines with a certain minerality and freshness, matched by the region’s temperate continental climate—hot, sun-filled summers tempered by cooling winds produce grapes with balance and poise. Historically, Saint-Joseph has provided vibrant, food-friendly examples of northern Rhône Syrah, distinct from the more robust, dark-toned expressions found in neighbouring Cornas. The area’s winemaking tradition, rooted in Roman times and revived in the last century, focuses on marrying pure fruit with savoury complexity.

Pair this red with classic Rhône cuisine to bring out its peppery spices and supple tannins. Lamb shoulder roasted with thyme, duck breast in a red wine reduction, or pepper-crusted venison would showcase its depth. Regionally, a lentil and sausage stew or grilled beef bavette dressed with shallots are equally rewarding. Earthy, matured cow’s milk cheeses or roasted aubergines with tapenade suit vegetarians and highlight the wine’s subtle herbal notes.

Allow the wine time to breathe and serve at around 16-18°C, ideally in large glasses. It may develop further complexity with another few years of cellaring, but its youthful charm is engaging now, especially if opened an hour before serving.