Louis Barruol Cote Rotie Besset 2021

45-year-old vines planted in steep micha schist terraces
Maceration lasts 2 or 3 weeks
Fermentation takes place in cement tank
Wines are aged on average for 15 months in barrel
No new barrels – barrels are 1 or 2 years old
Grapes are not de-stemmed

The lieu-dit Besset lies at the top of the slope, where cooling breezes offset the richness endowed by the full southern exposure in a warm vintage. From the classic aromas of graphite, black fruit, and roasted spice, to the total finesse of its tannins, this is Cte-Rtie at its best.

These are meticulously crafted Cte-Rties that echo the old style – that magical marriage of power, finesse, and enchanting aromaticsthat got me and so many others Rhone fanatics hooked in the first place. Louis works only with Serine, the regions traditional Syrah budwood; he vinifies the wines naturally without de-stemming, and he bottles unfiltered. These key factors go a long way in emulating that sensual, perfumed style of Cte-Rtie that is so rewarding after a few years tucked away.

Traditionally, blending is the rule, rather than the exception, in Cte Rtie. Despite the proliferation of single-vineyard prestige cuves, stalwarts like Jean-Paul Jamet and Louis Barruol continue to produce classic Cte Rtie composed of multiple vineyards that, when blended, showcase the whole of the appellation.