François Villard : Le Gallet Blanc 2023

A fresh, juicy blast of blackberry and açaí is held tightly in check with firm tannins and grainy graphite mineral elements. Offers impressive range and vibrancy. The clean finish wafts with alder smoke. Precise and pedigreed. Best from 2027 through 2038. 500 cases made, 200 cases imported.

Vinified with roughly 70% whole clusters from the Northern sector, the 2023 Côte-Rôtie Le Gallet Blanc greets with soft-toned violets, stemmy tones, orange rind and red plum. Midweight carrying real substance and structured through ripe tannins, the 2023 is best kept for two more years in a cool cellar.