2014 Yves Cuilleron, Syrah, Les Vignes d’ a Cote, Rhone, France.
This light and fresh Syrah comes from the most northern region of the Rhone, more known for Gamay than Syrah, but it makes for an easy to love wine of pure varietal character. Yves Cuilleron’s single varietal series Les Vignes d’ a Cote offers lots of quality for the money and are very pretty wines, especially the 2014 Viognier and 2014 Syrah bottling and you should keep an eye out for them, imported by Rosenthal, they will be hitting the shelves very soon. The Syrah Les Vignes d’ a Cote starts with light violets, camphor, earth, red berries and bright peppery spices leading to a lighter style palate, about the same weight as a Pinot Noir, with dark cherry, blackberry, boysenberry and plum fruits, cracked peppercorns, soft black olive notes as well as earth, herbs and anise. While not overly complex or deep, it is a pleasing wine and is a perfect afternoon picnic red or bistro wine, drink over the next year or so.
($18 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive
