2017 Bila-Haut (M. Chapoutier) Cotes Du Roussillon Villages L'Esquerda Rectificando Invenies RI

Coming from higher elevation granite soils, the 2017 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Lesquerdes Rectificando Invenies is stunning in every way. Crème de cassis, graphite, tobacco, and ground pepper notes as well as a stunning sense of elegance emerge from this full-bodied, pure, beautifully textured, thrilling Syrah. This cuvée has been at the top of the heap from the Roussillon in just about every vintage since its debut, and the 2017 is no exception. While falling outside the focus of this Northern Rhône report, I taste these wines every year during my visit at Chapoutier. Looking first at the 2018s, this was a cooler, wetter, and later year, and the wines show terrific purity and freshness with more medium to full-bodied profiles. The 2017s come from a hot, dry year and are bigger, richer efforts.