Domaine Jean Michel Gerin La Champine Syrah 2023

Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin sits in the village of Ampuis, the heart of Cote Rotie, where six generations of the family have worked the steep northern Rhone slopes. La Champine is a Syrah grown on the granite and schist soils that define this stretch of the river, organically farmed, with the warm aspect and cool nights of the valley giving ripe fruit alongside firm acidity. The wine is raised partly in stainless steel and partly in older barrels, a restrained approach that keeps the fruit and the peppery character of Syrah to the fore rather than layering on new oak. The colour is deep purple. The nose leads with black pepper, raspberry and violet, with a smoky, olive-tinged savouriness that marks cooler-climate Syrah. The palate is medium to full, with red and dark berry fruit, fine tannins and a mineral, slightly stony finish that reflects the granite below the vines. Decant for half an hour and serve at around 16 to 18 degrees in a large glass. It suits grilled and roasted red meats, particularly lamb and beef with herbs, and game.