Domaine Pierre Gaillard Côte-Rôtie 2022

Gaillard’s Côte-Rôtie is a co-fermented blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier from the schist soils of Fongeant and Viallière (Ampuis) and a parcel of vines on gneiss at Semons in the south of the appellation. All the fruit was harvested by hand with a strict selection, ensuring only the finest bunches and berries made it into the final blend. The fruit was 100% destemmed, and vinification involved a five-day pre-fermentation soak and then regular punch-downs. The wine spent 18 months in barrique (35% new) and was bottled without filtration.

It’s a seductive, layered, fleshy Côte-Rôtie with pulpy red berries, smoke and red cherry notes and a long, super-fine palate. There are some lovely tannins and hints of iodine and other spices. This is a perfectly ripe Côte-Rôtie, which, although seductive now, will age beautifully. Those who hold it for 10 years will have a very special bottle indeed.