2022 Cote Rotie

Medium-bodied and elegant, as well as the most approachable in the lineup, the 2022 Côte Rôtie Les Shistes reveals focused red plums, mulberries, crushed stone, and violet aromatics. It shows beautiful precision on the palate, with fine tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and impeccable balance. This elegant effort will drink nicely for 10-15 years. Drink 2026-2041. ?Based in Verenay, Clusel-Roch farms approximately 5.5 hectares in Côte Rôtie, with vineyards concentrated in the northern part of the appellation. Their holdings include parcels in Les Grandes Places, La Viallière, Le Champon, Le Plomb, and Montmain. The Côte Rôtie Les Schistes cuvée accounts for roughly 80% of the estate's production and is sourced primarily from Viallière, with contributions from Le Champon, Le Plomb, and Verenay. The Les Grandes Places parcel, planted in 1935 by Baptiste Clusel, is the estate's oldest vineyard and is used exclusively for their single-vineyard bottling of the same name. Made entirely from Serine, an old clone of Syrah, it is aged for approximately two years in a mix of new and used barrels. The winemaking here is uncompromisingly traditional, with fermentation in concrete and stainless steel, partial destemming, and élevage mostly in used oak. These are beautiful, classic wines.