2012 Cuvee Christine Syrah

The 2013 Syrah Cuvee Christine is 100% Syrah. It sees about 16% new French oak for 20 months prior to bottling. About 30% whole clusters were used in making this wine, which has a vague similarity to one of Guigal’s single vineyard Cote-Roties such as La Landonne. Powerful, rich, and dense, the opaque purple color and a beautiful nose of spring flowers, asphalt, charcoal, blackberry and cassis are all present in this full-bodied, structured wine, which has grip, loads of tannin, and a huge upside. I wouldn’t even touch a bottle for another 2-3 years. Drink it over the following 15-20. Mar 2016, www.robertparker.com