2024 St. Cosme - Cote Rotie (750ml)

Louis Barruol is best known for Gigondas, where his family has owned Château de Saint Cosme since 1490. Since 1997, though, he’s also been making Côte-Rôtie from some of the steep schist slopes of the northern Rhône. The fruit comes from old vines in top climats, including Le Plomb, Besset, La Viallière and Neve, many planted to Sérine, the local heirloom strain of Syrah. It’s all Syrah, with no Viognier. The fruit is fermented as whole clusters with native yeasts in concrete. The wine then spends 12 months in French oak, about a third of it new, and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. 2024 was a cool, fresh vintage in the north, which suits this elegant style. Expect black raspberry, violets, cracked pepper and smoked meat, with a silky, medium-bodied palate and a long, floral finish. Pour it with roast duck, lamb or a peppery steak.