2012 Yves Cuilleron, Saint-Joseph, L’Amarybelle, Rhone Red, France.
When you are craving Syrah and especially Old world stuff, this Cuilleron St. Joe really hits the spot with beautiful details, density and terroir charms, it is hard not to love this wine, it’s deep hue, a black/purple core and lush dark fruits, mineral and mix of spice and earth are just sexy and compelling. Cuilleron sometimes get overlooked, but his his are alluring, well crafted and really solid efforts that deserve a lot of attention, especially his Cornas and Saint-Joseph Syrah wines, but be sure to check out his pure varietal bottling too, they are great little wines and remarkable values, in particular you should search out his Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne, and no question this L’Amarybelle really stands out, this 2012 is juicy, focused and wonderful stuff, and while not quite as good as 2010 and 2011, it sure is good and feels like it might get a bit better in the bottle. I adore this Syrah, it is what the grape is all about with vigor, intensity, soul and stylish character, this a classy wine that starts with a heady perfume of dusty violets, lavender. white pepper and a middle eastern market full of exotic smells leading to a full bodied palate of red and black fruits including a mix of boysenberry, blueberry, kirsch/cherry liqueur, damson plum and mountain berry along with camphor/graphite, slate, wild herbs, chalky/salty licorice, black fig paste as well as cedar, loam, leather and dried flowers with lingering currant notes. This beauty enjoys a cut of acidity and a nice round mouth feel with a hint of tannic bite and at only 12.5% alcohol is very easy to quaff and celebrate an evening with, drink between 2015 and 2021, I will want more of this, and I might not have given it the highest points score, but I certainly recommend it very passionately!
($45 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive
