Syrah
75cl * Organic & Biodynamic * 13% ABV * Rhône Valley, France
Côte-Rôtie is one of the most famous of the northern Rhône appellations, with some single vineyard cuvées now selling for the same prices as First Growth Bordeaux. It is the northernmost outpost of the Syrah grape. Côte-Rôtie translates as ‘roasted hillside’, as the south-facing slopes are exposed to the maximum-possible sunlight. From these vertigo-inducingly steep roasted slopes, this pure Syrah comes from a 1.5ha vineyard that workers claim can feel like “the warmest place on earth” due to its direct southerly exposure. However, despite the heat the unique schist and mica soils mean that the winemaker feels that the “The climate still speaks less loudly than the soil.” The Neve Côte-Rôtie 2021 was one of the stars of the en primeur tasting that Taurus was lucky to attend in October 2022.
~ Taurus Tasting Notes ~
“The 2021 has a deep inky black colour with aromas of wine garrigue, beech and cedar. Lovely bilberries and red fruits, black olive, spice and a herbaceous-ness on the palate. Soft dusty tannins, great mineral length with a lovely salinity, the signature of Chapoutier’s style.”
Serving temperature: 18-19°C. Pair with game terrine on toast, roasted quail with black truffle, or barbecued lamb.
Drinking window: 2029 to 2040.