2014  

Bernard Burgaud is one of the more understated producers of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, making just one wine from 100% Syrah. From his small domaine, perched atop a steep hill overlooking Ampuis, he produces 1,000 cases a year from 22 acres of vines planted in several lieux-dits in the appellation, the majority from the Les Moutonnes and Côte Blonde vineyards. Bernard believes the blending of his terroirs results in a more complete and balanced wine: His vineyards in the Côte Brune provide power and muscularity, while those in the Côte Blonde bring finesse and elegance. Bernard eschews passing trends and stays true to traditional methods, aging his wines in 600-liter barrels, 20% of which are new and the rest up to five years old. The resulting cuveés are best personified by Bernard himself, a humble, charming, traditional man who waxes poetic on the beauty of his land and his wine. His classic, well-balanced wines taste of black fruit and olives, with earthy and rustic flavors. They are to be aged, developing into perfectly elegant wines.

2001  La Landonne

2011  WA 99

This cuvée is a vineyard plot selection. The grapes come exclusively from the oldest plot within the renowned area of "Les Bessards", in the heart of the Hermitage hill. This wine is only produced during the very best years, the production is deliberately limited to 6,000 bottles (75 cl.) per year. 100% Syrah.

1998  Dionneres, WA90

1994  

2009  "Arena Mica"

Very simply, Stéphane Vedeau makes expressive, beautifully balanced wines in an approachable (and affordable!) style. Hermitage is the most famous Northern Rhone appellation and typically the Syrah-based reds from the region are powerful, deep, muscular wines that can take years to soften and develop. The 2009 J. Boutin Hermitage stands apart from the crowd for its elegant purity, its concentrated (not extracted) plush flavors of raspberry, cherry & a kiss of chocolatey iron. Its texture evokes the descriptor "seductive" & we don't toss that around carelessly or without merit. With tannins far softer than is typical for a young Hermitage, it absolutely may be drunk now and indeed, is a stunning glass of wine. Delicious now, it will also reward cellaring over the next several years.

2015  

From his small vineyard in the Northern Rhône Valley, Jacques Leménicier produces two wines: a profound Cornas from 100% Syrah and a highly aromatic Saint Péray from Marsanne and Rousanne. An athletic, affable fellow, Leménicier happened into the wine business when he took a job with Robert Michel in 1974, before going to work for one of the most famous winemakers in the region, Alain Voge. He learned at the hand of Voge for more than a decade, eventually starting his own domaine on a small piece of land in the early 1980s. Employing the skills and knowledge he had accumulated, Leménicier began producing classic and expressive wines from Cornas and Saint Péray at incredible price points. During the past 20 years, these beautiful wines have sold out of Leménicier's cellar mostly to private clients and restaurants throughout France. -- The old vines are 100% de-stemmed and then put in tank with morning and evening punchdowns. For the younger vines, located on the foothills of Cornas and harvested later, the grapes remain 100% whole cluster and go through the same punchdown regimen. Vinification lasts 22 to 28 days. These two wines are both aged 12 months in oak barrels and are blended before bottling.

2012  Patou

100% Syrah. Only 1.8ha owned. Organic farming, the wine is aged 24 months in neutral barrels, allowing the pure expression of fruit. Total annual production of the estate was just 600 cases in 2014. Each bottle is hand-labelled! Beautiful wine - the nose is dominated by a seriously powerful sprig of fresh spearmint that can't be missed!

2009  Patou

Subdued aromas of pure ripe blackberry with floral, violety notes, a touch of briar, a hint of light grapefruit. The color is the loudest thing about this wine. Flavors are dense & concentrated, a strong vein of acidity runs through from beginning to end and is persistent through the finish. Carefully structured, tannins are textured without being chewy or gritty. Grip. Flavors of ripe macerated berry, minerality, dark chocolate and deep plum A handsome beast, this one.

2015  La Bonnette

2001  

2011  Collines Rhodaniennes

100% Syrah. Rene Rostaing is a "Classicist" - a vigneron whose philosophies incorporate some new ideas while capturing the best of the region's traditions-to make wines of purity and expression that are the essence of their region, village and vineyard. "The 2011 Les Lézardes from René Rostaing is really a terrific bottle of syrah, which strikes me a bit as a theoretical blend of Côte-Rôtie and Saint Joseph. The wine is deep, pure, and at twelve percent alcohol, bright and vibrant on both the nose and palate. The bouquet is a fine and youthful blend of black raspberries, grilled meat, dark soil tones, pepper and a bit of lavender in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, complex and quite full-bodied, with a great core of fruit, superb focus and balance, a fair bit of ripe tannin and excellent length and grip on the very long and still quite primary finish (John Gilman)". 600 cases produced.