I opened this pristine rare old vine cuvee N.Rhone Syrah at home. Popped and poured, 12.7% alcohol. I was expecting a tasty wine from this legendary vintage and I was not disappointed. Dark plum red. An aromatic nose of black olives, cooked saucisson and wild herbs. The medium bodied mouthfeel is savoury and delicious, with a long slightly rich length. There is a freshness and a balance to it that is beyond description. This wine is drinking well now, but there is no rush.
An underrated producer with cellars opposite Verset’s old house! Sadly they now destem (with the exception of the cuvée Henri) and use a touch more wood than I would like, though the wines are still pretty classical in profile.
The old vine bottling is the cuvée Henri. It sees some stems but also some new wood. The “Patou” is in mostly used barrels but destemmed the last handful of years. I visited a few months ago.
I would definitely buy it, if it weren’t for the wood, but I would be waiting for the 2016. The 2015 is a Godzilla wine and not one I could ever envisage drinking, though it has received some good reviews.
