Rousset, Stéphane 2023 Crozes-Hermitage Les Picaudieres

Les Picaudières is perhaps the best vineyard in Crozes-Hermitage, formerly owned by Raymond Roure and now tended by Stéphane Rousset. It's a steep slope of granite terraces, isolated in an oak forest facing due south and protected from the wind. (In the opinion of Livingston-Learmonth in "Wines of the Northern Rhône" wine from Les Picaudières is "certainly better" than many Hermitage from the eastern part of the hill.) The vines range from 30 to 80 years-old. The grapes are hand-harvested and mostly de-stemmed. The wine ages 16 months, 40% in foudre, 60% in burgundy barrels, new to 5 year-old.  "The 2023 shows quite a dark red; the bouquet has a blackberry depth, lingers, bears floral-rose notes around a sappy, curvy Les Picaudières tone. The palate has a fleshy debut, firm juice, while the tannins have a firm insistence, shows black olives, southern tones towards the finish, has sun rays present, with notes of iron spine to help its movement. It builds gradually, gains in emphasis, the length good, gras on the close, charcoal on the aftertaste. Drink until 2044." (drink rhone) With 8 to 10 years of cellaring this becaomes a classic Northern Rhone Syrah of the highest quality - and value of course. David Lillie