2022 Cote Rotie

Beautiful red and black fruits and floral notes emerge from the 2022 Côte Rôtie, and it's medium to full-bodied, seamless, and incredibly pure on the palate. The tannins are ultra-fine, and it has beautiful balance, purity, and precision. This is a stunning wine that will evolve gracefully. Drink 2025-2040. While Louis Barruol is best known for his work in Gigondas, he continues to produce a terrific lineup of Northern Rhônes that are well worth attention. The Condrieu sees full malolactic fermentation and is aged in used 228-liter barrels for 12 months on fine lees. The Crozes-Hermitage and Saint Joseph are both 100% Syrah, sourced from granite-rich soils, and see 12 months of aging in barrel with about 20% new oak. The Saint Joseph comes from the Malleval area in the northern part of the appellation, while the Crozes is sourced from more granitic soils in the northern part of Crozes-Hermitage. The Côte Rôtie is sourced from the schist soils of Le Plomb, Besset, La Viallière, and Neve and is made entirely from Sérine, an old clone of Syrah. It is fermented in cement and aged in barrel for a year, with roughly 30% new oak. Across the board, these are serious, classically styled wines that deliver impressive quality. As anyone who has tasted Louis's Gigondas knows, the guy likes stems, and they work beautifully in these Northern Rhône releases as well.