Benoît Roseau - Côte-Rôtie 2018

Although Benoît grew up in the Northern Rhône and his family has a history of grape growing in other parts of Europe, he has literally created his domaine from the ground up. From converting a sheep shelter into a cellar, to planting vineyards at the Coteau de Tupin in Côte-Rôtie and around his family's home in Pélussin, Benoît is truly building every piece of his domaine. All of these vineyards are worked either biodynamically or organically, and many are in process of certification. The grapes are foot-trodden, fermentation occurs with native yeast in neutral vessels (either stainless steel or resin tanks), the wines are pressed off using an old basket press, and are raised in old 600L demi-muid barrels. The wines are traditional in style and echo the great Northern Rhône wines of the past.

Benoît Roseau’s Côte Rôtie comes from the incredible Coteaux de Tupin, a small 0.24 hectare site he has been working on since 2012. Made from 100% Syrah, the wine shows an open, floral nose with notes of macerated cherries, ripe blackberries and wet earth. The palate is full-bodied with lovely softeness and a fine acidity that supports those lovely violet floral and dark fruit falvors that flow into a luxurious and long finish with excellent concentration and complexity. Drink now or put some aside in the cellar to enjoy over the next 10+ years.