2011 Louis Barruol, Cote Rotie “Neve” Rhone Valley, France.
Barruol’s newest Cote Rotie, the 2011 Neve, is a stunning piece of work and without question is a sensational Syrah with wonderful intensity, vibrant flavors, regional purity and graceful elegance. The Neve shines brightly and fashionably with only about 13% alcohol it has striking inner beauty without losing density or persistence. While not as extroverted as the 2009 or 2010 vintages are, this 2011 still has everything you could want in a wine from this classic terroir, this is a example of why we adore Cote Rotie with it’s dark purple and blue hue, heightened aromatics and refined palate. The nose intrigues with violets, roasted herbs, graphite, bacon fat and creme de cassis leading to a medium weight palate of blueberry, currant, boysenberry and black cherry fruits with mineral, white pepper, hints of grilled meat, smoky plum, fig cake and cinnamon stick. These layers are complex and compelling from start to finish, this is very sexy Syrah that vividly exciting and very focused with a lengthy finish, drink young and often, best from 2015 to 2020. Louis Barruol is the legend behind Chateau de Saint-Cosme in Gigondas (Epic Wines Imports, Aptos, California) and this line of wines under his own name are available through famed importer Kermit Lynch, Berkeley, California.
($70 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive