We had searched and searched for a Cote Rotie, (the “roasted slope”) that really turned us on, and kept running until we came across Bernard Levet’s wine. A depth-charge of dark brooding fruit hits you from the off, Syrah in fifth gear, the volume up to eleven, then free-wheeling downhill the rest of the way. No Viognier here to detract from 100% sheer vinous Syrah pleasure. Animal sweat and meat mingles with violets in the nose, savage power and weight in the mouth and yet finishing with elegance. Daughter and collaborator Agnes showed us every parcel of their small 4 hectare holding spread across the steep slopes of the Cote Blonde and the Cote Brune (including the legendary La Landonne) in the biting wind.
