M. Chapoutier Côte Rôtie Les Bécasses 2021

Maison Chapoutier is a Rhone house founded in 1808 and an early adopter of biodynamic farming in the region. Les Becasses is a monovarietal Syrah from the AOC Cote Rotie, at the northern tip of the Rhone. The appellation's name means roasted slope, a nod to the steep, south-facing terraces that catch the sun, and its schist and mica-schist soils give the wine its firm structure and mineral depth. Syrah grown on these cool, steep slopes ripens slowly, keeping its dark fruit fresh and building the peppery, savoury character that defines the northern Rhone. The wine is aged in oak barrels, the slow oxygen exchange through the wood knitting the tannins together and lending subtle spice while preserving the fruit. Expect a deep red with blackberry, plum and black cherry, violet, cracked pepper and a savoury note of smoked meat and dried herbs, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and a long finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It is built for roast and grilled red meats and game.