2022 Cote Rotie La Vialliere

Coming from a prime site of schist soils in the northern part of the appellation, the 2022 Côte Rôtie La Viallière reveals gorgeous red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with violets, crushed stone, and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a nicely focused mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and ripe tannins. This classic Côte Rôtie will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink beautifully over the following 15+. Drink 2027-2042. ?Based in Verenay, Clusel-Roch farms approximately 5.5 hectares in Côte Rôtie, with vineyards concentrated in the northern part of the appellation. Their holdings include parcels in Les Grandes Places, La Viallière, Le Champon, Le Plomb, and Montmain. The Côte Rôtie Les Schistes cuvée accounts for roughly 80% of the estate's production and is sourced primarily from Viallière, with contributions from Le Champon, Le Plomb, and Verenay. The Les Grandes Places parcel, planted in 1935 by Baptiste Clusel, is the estate's oldest vineyard and is used exclusively for their single-vineyard bottling of the same name. Made entirely from Serine, an old clone of Syrah, it is aged for approximately two years in a mix of new and used barrels. The winemaking here is uncompromisingly traditional, with fermentation in concrete and stainless steel, partial destemming, and élevage mostly in used oak. These are beautiful, classic wines.