A top Syrah from the Northern Rhone Valley in France, from what could be generally accepted as a good vintage, but the wine ready to drink now. Sealed under cork, this takes a little time to unwind – at first slightly gamy and vegetal, but once it opens out it has an exquisite perfume. Both delicate and rustic at the same time, with an attractive ‘barnyard’ savoury tinge, but then a prettiness to the cherry, blood orange, cassis, damson and violet aromatics. The palate is medium bodied, with a layer of white pepper, olive and woody herbs woven under the ripe, dark fruits. The palate is bolstered by ribbons of tannin – quite bold, quite firm, and yet plush, delicious. There’s a sufficient tartness of acidity here to steer through the mid-palate and into a pillow of a texture that still maintains a tang of graphite. The finish is supple, dry and elongated. Superb. 97pts
Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie 2004
