J.V. Fleury, Côte Rôtie 2010, Rhone, France

Tasting Note: A syrah from Côte Rôtie that embodies rustic elegance in the most sought after form one seeks in the Northern Rhone.

Deep ruby in color this wine from Fleury has an intensely aromatic nose of black plum, red cherry, black currant, raspberry along with aromas of black pepper, leather, bacon fat, and lightly-charred wood.

On the palate, the dry, full-bodied red is medium in acidity, with flavors of mixed red and black fruit supported by well-integrated, medium-plus tannin that completes with a long finish.

The syrah is in perfect balance and highlights the rustic winemaking style particular to this Northern Rhone region.

This Côte Rôtie honors the Northern Rhone syrah tradition of including a touch viognier (5%) which imparts floral notes on top of the red syrah (95%) fruit.

Bottle Noted: Established in 1781 in the Cote Rotie vineyard, J.V. Fleury is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Rhone Valley. Syrah (95%) and Viognier (5%) come from terraces mainly on the Cote Brue and the Cote Blonde. The wine is aged in oak barrels for four years. Then, after long maturation in the bottle, the wine reveals intense and complex flavors with a very long finish. Food Pairing – Red meat, game and goat cheese. Guy Sarton du Jonchay, winemaker.