Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : Domaine des Pierrelles 2020

100% Syrah. Cask sample. Juicy, supple and clean. Attractive fruit but with a lighter weight and frame. Open and digestible but offers more immediate appeal. (JL)

Leading off the reds, the 2020 Côte Rôtie Les Pierrelles is a medium- to full-bodied effort revealing a great ruby/purple color, notes of ripe red and black fruits, chocolate, and flowery incense, ripe tannins, and a layered, rich, satisfying texture. Brought up in 15% demi-muids, with a portion in concrete, it's going to evolve for 10–15 years.

(organic) The wine has a deep ruby color with slight purple highlights. The nose offers dense freshness with notes of juicy black fruits (blackberry, black plum, morello cherry, blackcurrant). It also expresses dried morello cherry and blackcurrant aromas, a perfumed, elegant floral side (violet, peony, dried cornflower), savory spicy notes (licorice, nutmeg, cumin, clove in the background, a touch of white pepper), and a delicate roasted character (coffee, dark chocolate, toasted bitter almond, toasted wood in the background). After aeration, elegant, refreshing aromas of menthol, eucalyptus, fresh pine needles (even pine sap) and rosemary emerge. The palate is flavorful and mouth-filling, while remaining refined and fresh. On the attack, there is an appealing roasted note of coffee, toasted bitter almond and toasted oak, combined with spicy notes of licorice, white pepper, clove and ground nutmeg. The mid-palate is gourmand and fruity – featuring flavors of juicy black fruits (morello cherry, blackberry, black plum, blackcurrant), chocolate-covered morello cherry, along with an airy floral facet (violet, peony, a touch of lily) and refreshing herbal notes (menthol, rosemary, pine needles, eucalyptus in the background). The finish is long, fruity and chocolaty (mint chocolate), while remaining elegant and fresh thanks to bright acidity. The tannins are powdery, silky, with a very fine texture. A concentrated, complex and refined wine.