Louis Barruol also makes a super refined but firm Côte-Rôtie from pure Sérine (old clone Syrah) sourced from top vineyards Le Plomb, Nève, Besset and La Vialière, all located north of Ampuis on a terroir of micaschiste. This wine matures for 12 months in 40% new oak barrels and is bottled unfiltered. Every year, this is an absolutely delicious and complex wine with a long life.

RP: “Barruol’s 2020 Cote Rotie blends fruit from both ends of the appellation to create an exciting blend of violets and blueberries on the nose. It’s medium to full-bodied, but richly concentrated and silky, with a lingering, elegant finish. Terrific stuff.” 94-96/100

“ Glass-staining ruby. Displays perfumed red and blue fruit liqueur, licorice, floral and smoked meat aromas, along with building cracked pepper and Moroccan spice qualities. Offers deeply concentrated but impressively lively, mineral-driven, bitter cherry violet pastille and smoky bacon flavours that turn spicier with aeration. Subtly gripping tannins support a very long, incisive finish that emphatically repeats the floral and blue fruit notes.” 95/100 (Vinous)

“The nose exhibits good concentration, revealing an enticing concentration of cherries, strawberries, wild mint and green olives. The complex palate delights, unveiling additional layers of black fruit, white tea, violets, thyme and fresh earth. The tannins gently coat the front of the front of the mouth, while the acidity ensures a gentle long finish, making it a truly complex and sophisticated wine.” 96/100 (Wine Enthousiast)