2014 Cotes du Rhone

Opaque ruby. Deep aromas of red berry compote, licorice, olive and cracked pepper, and a subtle floral nuance that builds with air. Concentrated but energetic, offering sappy black raspberry and spicecake flavors lifted by juicy acidity and a smoky mineral note. Closes with resonating red fruit character, very good length and smooth, fully integrated tannins. This wine shows the elegant side of northern Rhône Syrah to very nice effect.

The Vin de France and Côtes du Rhône from this benchmark estate have to be some of the best kept secrets in the northern Rhône (although they’re not cheap in the United States, unfortunately). The 2014 Côtes du Rhône is 100% Syrah that was fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged 11 months in a combination of concrete tanks and larger, older foudre. It has more than a little Clape perfume in its charcoal, smoked herbs, olive and meaty dark fruits. This gives way to a medium-bodied, nicely structured, mouth-filling Syrah that will drink beautifully for 5-7 years.