2015 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde R.I
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Tasting notes
As always, the 100% Syrah 2015 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde Rectificando Invenies (Ri) shows more minerality than the VIT release and offers blockbuster styled aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, crushed rocks, toasted bread and chocolate. Made in a voluptuous, pedal-to-the-metal style, with huge fruit and texture, it has building tannin and an uber sexy, incredibly layered and decadent palate. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. This cuvee was completely destemmed and aged 18 months in demi-muids.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A month-old, preserved cask sample. Dark purplish crimson. Meaty, succulent nose. Much richer, sweeter, more opulent ripe fruit than the more mineral VIT. A tiny bit heavier and beefier arguably. Less lift. Impressive rather than winning! Masses of tannin packed in here. Very serious wine and not a jot of complacency. After all, there is still a lot to prove down here. (JR)
A month-old, preserved cask sample. Dark purplish crimson. Meaty, succulent nose. Much richer, sweeter, more opulent ripe fruit than the more mineral VIT. A tiny bit heavier and beefier arguably. Less lift. Impressive rather than winning! Masses of tannin packed in here. Very serious wine and not a jot of complacency. After all, there is still a lot to prove down here. May 2016, www.jancisrobinson.com, Drink: 2022-2032
A cuvee where the quality has increased in just about every vintage, the 2015 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde l’Esquerda (60/40 Syrah and Grenache) sports a purple/blue color, as well as terrific granite character and minerality in its darker fruits, violets and spring flower-scented bouquet. Full-bodied, focused, concentrated and balanced, it has a pure, precise style that will evolve nicely for a decade ago. Like with a number of other cuvees, this 2015 is easily the best yet. I continue to be blown away by the quality coming from Domaine de la Bila Haut, which is run with the Chapoutier team. They’ve continued to grow these Roussillon releases, and even at the entry-level price point, the quality is stunning. The straight Les Vignes de Bila Haut, at $14, is a no-brainer purchase, and it’s made in enough quantity that readers should have no problem finding a bottle or more. The quality of the l’Esquerda continues to improve and I think the 2015 will be the best vintage of this cuvee to date. The top single parcel bottles of RI and VIT are made in tiny quantities, but these are up with the finest wines coming from the south of France. In short, these are fabulous wines that show classic characters (most are aged all in concrete) and represent incredible values. Don’t miss them. Apr 2016, www.erobertparker.com, Drink: 2016-2026