2014 Louis Barruol-Kermit Lynch, Cote Rotie, Neve, Northern Rhone, France.
The latest set of Barroul-Lynch Syrahs from Crozes-Hermitage and Cote Rotie are stunning and wines that are pure and alive with flavor and vitality, especially this Neve 2014 Cote Rotie, which shows majestic class and length. Famed for his Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas and his touch with Grenache, Louis Barruol for the last 5 vintages or so has crafted small lot Syrah based wines Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Cote Rotie in partnership with Kermit Lynch, plus a bit of white, in particular a white Hermitage cru that is really worth getting your hands on, all of these wines offer something just that bit more special than you’d expect and are terrific values in their echelon. The 2014 is maybe the best yet, though 2010 and 2011 were exceptional, it is the haunting length, detail and vibrancy that sets the 2014’s apart, in the case of the Neve Cote Rotie there is no question of terroir, it could only be Cote Rotie and it’s as gorgeous as it gets with poise, finesse and rich elegance, not as nervy as Cornas or meaty as Hermitage, it shows an inner beauty and a glowing core of perfumed black fruits, flowers and a savory vein of mineral. The nose opens with dew dripping violets, subtle smoke, graphite/flint, light peppercorns and oodles of logan berry leading to the full bodied palate of this purple/black and garnet hued wine where you’ll find layers of blackberry, boysenberry, creme de cassis, mixed stones, minty/anise, tangy blueberry and way in the background a faint hint of bacon. Soft wood/cedar notes, a touch of embers/camphor and cinnamon stick notes unfold with air, and there is a sense of lightness that lifts the sweet tannins and enough acidity to make every accent show through, this is what a great wine is, it seduces completely, drink this wonderful Syrah over the next decade, this is a fabulous example of passion filled Cote Rotie, don’t miss!
($70 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
