Domaine Courbis, St-Joseph Les Royes 2016

94 points Jeb Dunnuck
"From a terrific vineyard on the southern side of Saint Joseph, the 2016 Saint Joseph Les Royes offers more finesse and elegance, with awesome notes of cassis, crushed violets, pepper, and spring flowers. Showing terrific minerality on the palate, with a tight, focused, oh so classic profile, it's a gorgeous Saint Joseph that will keep for 10-15 years." (12/2018)

91-94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Aging in approximately 30% new oak, the 2016 Saint Joseph Les Royes comes from a limestone-based terroir. It’s plummy and supple, with cedar and vanilla highlights. It should drink well immediately after bottling in March 2018 and provide ample enjoyment for 6-7 more years after that. (JC)" (12/2017)

91-93 points Vinous
"(30% new oak) Youthful purple. Bright, mineral-accented black raspberry, blueberry, olive and violet scents are accented by a spicy topnote. Concentrated red and dark berry liqueur flavors show excellent focus and vivacity thanks to a spine of smoky minerality. Finishes long and smooth, featuring persistent dark berry and floral qualities, supple tannins and strong, mineral-driven persistence. (JR)" (6/2018)

92 points Decanter
"The grapes for this wine come from a rare outcrop of chalky soils in the southern part of the appellation. It has a bright, pure expression of classic St-Joseph, with dark berry fruit. It's very well balanced with good acidity and ripe tannin - a pure, polished and glossy style that's well executed. 25% new oak. (MW)" (10/2018)

92 points Wine Spectator
"Delightfully ripe, featuring a good fleshy feel to the mix of plum and boysenberry fruit flavors, with additional violet, licorice and toast accents throughout. Drink now through 2023. (JM)" (2/2019)

91 points James Suckling
"This has a very ripe, bright and attractive, mixed-berry nose and a wealth of rich, graphite-infused, dark berries on the smooth, velvety palate. Drink or hold." (8/2018)

Jancis Robinson
"From chalk soil. Luxurious sweet spice, ripe black fruit with dark chocolate and rich, supple spice. Rich but with fine structure. Lovely delicacy yet no lack of fruit. 17.5/20 points. (RH)" (10/2017)