Jaboulet Côte-Rôtie Domaine Des Pierrelles 2022

Côte-Rôtie, the northernmost red appellation of the Rhône, has been prized since Roman times, and Domaine des Pierrelles is Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aîné's bottling from organically farmed Syrah on its famously steep slopes. The name means roasted slope: the vineyards face south and south-east on terraces so steep they must be worked by hand, and the schist and granite soils soak up the sun and ripen Syrah fully while the cool northern climate keeps the fruit fresh and aromatic. Côte-Rôtie traditionally allows a small share of the white grape Viognier, co-fermented with the Syrah to lift the perfume and fix colour. Syrah on these soils gives concentrated red and dark fruit, the peppery note that comes from rotundone in the skins, and a savoury, smoky depth. Barrel ageing softens the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds smoke, leather and a faint floral or citrus-peel lift. The wine is deep and perfumed, with a nose of raspberry, plum, pepper and olive, a palate that is elegant and savoury, and a long, smoky finish on fine tannins. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits roast lamb, beef and game.