Northern Rhône 2019 reds – the rest

100% Syrah. Barrel samples tasted at the domaine.
Sample 1: Dardouille.
Beautiful black-olive and smoke-tinged nose – granitic graphite notes, fantastic depth of fruit and fine silky tannins with a dollop of spice.
Sample 2: Le Clos.
Stacks of black pepper, menthol and clove showing on the nose. The palate is densely concentrated but with real energy, freshness and vibrancy.
Sample 3: Chaillés.
Beautiful whole-bunch aromas of lapsang souchong, smoke, ash and five spice. Fantastic vibrant freshness and sculpted fine tannins.
Sample 4: Bachasson.
A nose packed full of black-olive tapenade and Lagavulin peaty smoke. The palate has a floral tinge with white pepper and tannins that are fine and silky. There's such finesse here! (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. What an expressive nose! Brooding spice, black-olive and meaty undertones with an earthy tequila-type note. A snappy and focused palate with great density and intensity of fruit. Then black pepper and clove spice blends with ripe blackberry – saline and fresh. The fine tannins tickle the juicy, succulent and vibrant palate – supremely tasty and pleasurable. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Beautiful nose with succulent pastille juiciness and purity with a strong smoked note. Such ripeness on the palate with beautiful depth and weight – the tannins are defined and sculpted – hard to believe it has 100% new oak. Plush and forward in a beautifully packaged, layered finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in a mix of old 400-litre barrels and 3,000-litre foudre, and a further 2 months in tank. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Vivid nose, purple fruit and florality. Packed with deep concentrated fruit and supported by beautifully judged finely tuned tannins – an earthy note and fresh salty minerality on the long structured finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 18 months in new French oak barriques, racked every 3 months. In March, selected barrels will go into Les Pierres. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Expressive nose of blueberry pie and liquorice with an ashy smoke note. Lovely florality on the palate with crackling acidity and fine-textured tannins – a really refined and elegant wine. Understated and shows both florality and savouriness. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample (a representative sample made from blending several casks).
Tasted at the domaine. Juicy and aromatic blend of clove, pepper and sweet blue fruit. Savoury note on the attack with grapefruit, clove – very spice led. Sweet fruit on the mid palate, and a savoury finish. Wonderfully soft extraction gives rounded elegant tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Gorgeous inviting nose of smoke and lapsang souchong. Juicy and structured palate that has great salinity and freshness and a touch of char on the finish. A lovely earthy note and a bonfire-smoke finish and with supremely rounded tannins. Very accomplished. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Juicy and smoke tinged with rounded richness and a very tight palate. Very closed and insular with black and red fruits. Powerful and tightly knit together. Youthful and needs time. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in 400- and 600-litre barrels (none new) and a further 2 months in tank. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Spicy and very vibrant nose with crushed violets and raspberry. Superb fresh acidity and an elegant lightness of touch, with structured and layered tannins. Good concentration of fruit behind this and a long fresh textured finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 15–18 months in demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Plummy and quite shy nose. Good oak integration adding some cedary sweetness, which is supported by good acidity and ripe sweet black fruit. A dense powerful wine but has a lovely minerality beneath, which is beginning to show through. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12–14 months in oak (10% new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Meaty and savoury nose. A finely tuned palate showing good freshness and a chalky minerality – structured fine tannins and a sweetness to the dense mid palate. A lovely salinity on the layered and long finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Smoked game and sandalwood aromas. A smoky note on the palate with rounded tannins and a juicy saline mouthfeel. Finely tuned tannins offer good structure and balance the fresh palate – very much savoury in style with a little salty tinge on the finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (40% new). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Both creamy and floral on the nose. Wonderful freshness gives a zippy palate that just skips along. Highly defined and textured tannins sit well alongside a salty minerality and peppery herbal note. Long and layered finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12–18 months in demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Meaty and very smoke-led, reductive, wild nose. Packed full of vibrant fruits and ashy bonfire smoke, very firm but fine tannins that are a little forward but will integrate. Plenty of fruit here to balance those tannins. Nice sense of chalky minerality on the finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Blueberry compote, violets and fig on the nose. Plump fruits with lovely violet tinges and a really rich mouthfeel – silky and sleek, seductive and rounded. Finely tuned tannins and an opulent, slightly naughty wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 13 months in 225- and 500-litre barrels, 25% new. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Brooding and intense nose with graphite and fragrant floral notes. A lovely ripe mouthfeel with vibrant fruits and a sense of freshness. Layered and structured tannins and a clean and pure, dense finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 10–14 months in old oak barrels, with part aged in vats ‘to preserve the freshness of the fruit’. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A very powerful muscular nose with leather, game and sweet fruit. Noticeable acidity and forest fruits with sandy tannins. A very fresh taut style with a good level of fruit intensity behind it. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12–14 months in oak (10% new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very gamey and bacon-fat nose. Some sweet fruit on the palate with a nice sense of freshness – tannins are firm but succulent and need time to integrate. A powerful St-Joseph but all the time with freshness and zip. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months half in tank, half in barrel. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Ripe blackberry and violets on the expressive nose. A zesty core and cedar-infused fine tannins support a good intensity of forest fruits and a subtle pepper note. Very appealing and with a refreshing finish. (AC)

Petite Sirah and Syrah. Aged for 12 months in new, second-use and third-use French oak barrels (one-third each). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. A mixture of meatiness and ripe blackberries on the nose. Floral, spicy and also really fresh – a rich and ripe palate with good weighty texture and density. Soft and integrated tannins lead to a balanced elegant finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, one-third new. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Already really appealing on the nose, fresh and an abundance of violets and herbal notes. A lovely snap of black pepper with good freshness and integrated and rounded tannins, a lovely sense of sweet ripe blackcurrant with a salty twang on the finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Primary tight nose, showing dense and brooding spice and leather. Nice sense of minerality and earthy character with sweet tobacco and liquorice. Tight and textured tannins with a nice sense of freshness – good concentration of forest fruits and a long finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Such a powerful brooding nose with a note of bacon fat and scorched earth. Austere attack with lots of peppery spice and good freshness. But this is a powerful wine that needs at least five years to settle. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Powerful – intense with a crunchy crackling nose of dark fruits. Violets and fine tannins – powerful stuff and on the roasted/grilled-meat spectrum but with a subtle sense of florality. Very young and needs some time to come together but is all in balance with intensity. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic and in conversion to biodynamic. Aged in demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A ferrous wild nose with a note of violets. A real freshness on the palate with layered tannins and both floral and animal notes. Good intensity but really driven by a streak of fresh acidity. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged in vats for 10 months before bottling. Tank sample.
Tasted blind. Blueberry-compote aromas with an attractive whiff of smoke. That little note of smoke adds a nice contrast to the ripe blackberry fruit on the palate that also shows a lovely salty twang. Nice acidity and very soft rounded tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged in barrels of various ages (new to 12 years old) and sizes (228 to 600 litres). Duration of ageing to be determined by regular tasting. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. On first smell this is firm with iodine notes – then out come violets, sweet plums and real florality. Good freshness and a creamy-led palate with textured tannins and a powerful, dense ferrous finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic. Aged for 12 months in demi-muids (30%) and concrete tank (70%). Tank sample.
Tasted blind. Very juicy nose with vibrant fruits. The zesty palate shows nice depth of blueberry and violet with a herbal snap. Clean and pure style which offers lots of pleasure and real florality and lift. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 18 months in 228-litre barrique. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. A firm and quite mute nose. Zippy freshness and textured fine tannins – a salty note to the dark-fruit-drenched palate. This is closed but nicely put together and shows harmonious balance. Leave for a few years. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 15 months in barrels (15% new oak). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Floral-tinged nose. Good zippy freshness and rounded tannins, a leather streak through the wine and a chewy texture on the rich finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 15 months in pièces and demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Quite developed on the nose with spice and smoked meat. Violets and floral notes with a slight char towards the opulent and ripe fruit finish. Needs time to integrate. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 14–16 months in 50% new and 50% second-use barrels. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. A touch of iron and graphite on the nose. A succulent and juicy palate which marries minerality and dense vivid forest fruits. Sweet and appealing with good depth of chewy-textured fruit. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged in French oak barrels, 10% new. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Lots of black pepper and a note of black olives. Good freshness and very soft and rounded tannins. Ripe dark fruits and that peppery note runs all the way through the fruit. Very refreshing and enjoyable! (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in mainly old barrels, just 7% new. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Vivid aromas of sweet spice, lavender and grapefruit. A lean and fresh palate with integrating soft tannins and a vibrant zesty core. A simple, appealing and easy-drinking wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in a mix of new and old oak barrels. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Fruit-forward and floral-led nose. Good sense of refreshment and firm tannins – a slight caramel note and char on the finish along with a nice peppery twang. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in 225- and 500-litre barrels, 20% new. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. A lively nose that has a nice blend of sweetness, creaminess and dark fruits. Ripe mouthfeel with good freshness and a juicy vibrant core. Not the most complex but offers good pleasure. (AC)

Cask sample. Tasted blind. Pretty aromatics, bright and vivid floral tinge. Dense and meaty mouthfeel with spice and dark-plum-led fruit. Moderate long finish with firm tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 15 months in foudres and demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A little smoky reduction with seared bacon fat on the nose. Nice vibrant palate with structured tannins, quite closed at the moment. (AC)

100% Syrah, 60% destemmed. Aged for 12 months in barrel (20% new). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Sandalwood and blackberry aromas. A ripe palate with slightly charry notes and firm chalky tannins. Slightly chewy in texture with moderate freshness on the finish. A bit awkward at the moment. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 14 months in 50/50 barriques and demi-muids, just 6% new oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Oak-led nose with some mineral notes. Good spice-led palate with a salty twang and very firm tannins that need to resolve. A nice herbal note is lurking beneath the fruit core and will come out over time. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged for 12 months in second- and third-use barrels. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Plummy and primary nose. A rounded palate with a slight charred note and firm tannins with ground-coffee notes on the finish. Introverted at the moment and not offering much perfume or fruit. Needs time to come together. (AC)

Tasted blind. Very smoky nose showing some meaty reductive notes. Smoke-tinged palate with a charry character and firm tannins – nice freshness keeps it in check. Quite a chunky style. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged in demi-muids and barriques for 18–24 months. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Ripe and opulent nose. Lots of dark fruit on the palate with a pruney note and firm tannins. Rich and rounded and showing some vanilla notes that are a little prominent. Moderate freshness and a sweet-tinged finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 14 months in 228-litre oak barrels. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Ripe dark mature fruits on the nose. Slight pruney note creeps in on the mid palate with a peppery note underneath the rounded plump tannins. Good direction in a richer style. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Dark and dense nose with scorched earth and graphite. A good level of acidity and firm tannins on the youthful palate with a moderate finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in pièces and demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Slightly floral on the nose. Quite dense in structure and weighty – a charred note on the end of the palate – feels quite rich and hefty. (AC)

100% Syrah, 85% destemmed. Aged for 12 months in barriques (15% new). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Ripe mature dark fruits on the opulent palate – a weighty style which would benefit from a bit more freshness. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12–14 months in oak (10% new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A smoked note with dark fruits and a charred nose. Rich and ripe with firm blocky tannins that are hard to see past at the moment. (AC)

93% Syrah, 7% Roussanne. Aged for 12 months in mainly old barrels (10% new). Barrel sample.
Dark-fruit-led nose with liquorice and roasted coffee. Good intensity of sweet ripe dark fruits and moderate acidity – on the ripe opulent side with a rounded mouthfeel and soft tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. Matured in 275-litre barrels for around 16 months. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Lots of meaty and gamey notes with spice and floral notes on the nose. Creamy and ripe and a weighty opulent style. Lacking a little freshness and direction. (AC)

Aged for 11 months half in barrel and half in stainless-steel tank. Tank sample.
Tasted blind. Sweet fruit and very prominent acidity. A little bit of reduction showing some smoked notes and delicate tannins. A very fresh style! (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 6 months in stainless steel and a further 2 months in bottle before release.
Tasted blind. Smoked note on the nose with some spice and black pepper. Good fruit and a sense of freshness. A simple, juicy style. (AC)

100% Syrah, destemmed. Aged for 18 months in second-use barrels. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Youthful with a smoked-bacon and herbal nose. Ripe and sweet fruit with a smoked note on the mid palate – tannins are blocky and a little disjointed on this showing. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Really expressive – vivid black-olive tapenade and smoked sandalwood. A sense of freshness and fine cedary tannins with gaminess, smokiness and blackberry. Opulent but not unbalanced and a long creamy compote finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Barrel sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Smoked bacon and spicy nose – reductive and going through malolactic fermentation. Lovely spice and grip on the palate, meaty and savoury with fine and refined tannins – good balance. With a meaty sweetness and a tequila-drenched earthiness. Young and in a changing phase. (AC)

100% Syrah. Part matured in oak barrels for 12 months. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Really expressive and vibrant nose, sandalwood, peaty smoke and crushed blackberry. Lively fresh acidity supports a medium-bodied floral-laden palate with layered fine integrating tannins and a long liquorice-infused finish. Delicious. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 14 months in barrel (none new). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Noticeable cola and oaky notes with vibrant plummy fruits. A medium-bodied palate with well-structured tannins and a sleek plush mouthfeel, the oak is present but is supported by good vibrant and zesty fruits. Needs time for the oak to integrate, and this could be better with a lighter more judicious oaking! (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 8 months in stainless steel.
Tasted blind. Smoked bacon fat and sweet spice with a creamy note on the nose. Lovely streak of black pepper and clove and a creamy ripe mouthfeel, the tannins are quite present but will integrate. A black-olive note to the mineral-drenched finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged in tank and in barrel (none new). Bottled.
Tasted blind. Raspberry notes with a nice lifted freshness on the nose. More on the savoury side on the palate but still with a red-fruit note, well-managed acidity and integrated fine tannins. A nice refreshing juicy and appealing wine combining bright fruits and a subtle savouriness. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged for 12 months in demi-muids (20% new oak). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very expressive and vibrant pure blue fruits on the nose. A ripe fruit core with nicely structured fine tannins and a hint of meatiness and subtle smoke char. Appealing and vibrant. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Ageing in second-, third- and fourth-use demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Spice-led nose with plum and a charred note. Sleek palate with really vibrant fruits, I like the freshness and vivacity here that keep the wine focused and support the textured well-tuned tannins. A nice blend of savoury notes with ripe dark black fruits. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 7 months in stainless steel. Bottled.
Tasted blind. Peaty smoky nose alongside vibrant fruit. A yogurt compote note and fragrant spice. Firm tannins dominate at the moment but there is a lovely cloak of sweet fruit and good freshness too. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged for 12 months in second- and third-use barrels. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Blueberry compote, violet and crushed blackcurrant – expressive. Lots of attractive fruit on the palate and a softness to the mid palate – fine tannins pepper the wine and there is a nice cooling blue-fruit finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Fermentation in barrel (vinification intégrale, with extraction by rolling the barrels). Aged 12–18 months in demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Lots of oak at the moment, a sweet cola note with dark fruits underneath. Lots of oak on the palate too, and this is shut for business for a while – but a lovely cooling blue-fruit character and very fine tannins. One for the long haul! (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged in tank. Tank sample.
Tasted blind. Dark pastille fruits with ripe blueberries on the nose. A savoury pepper note on the medium-bodied rich, dense and textured palate, really well-managed tannins and a long ripe finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic, biodynamic. Aged in stainless-steel tank for 6–8 months. Bottled.
Tasted blind. Pronounced smoky gravelly earthy notes with a pure floral note on the nose. Rounded mouthfeel with a lovely core of freshness, ripe dark fruits and well-judged and fine tannins. A juicy and rounded wine that gives lots of pleasure! (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Lots of violet freshness sits neatly alongside a meaty charred note. Dense and very firm mouthfeel, savoury and perfumed with a peppery streak – very tight and concentrated style. The oak is showing but should soften soon. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic. Aged for 18 months in oak (15% new). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Leather and lots of spiced notes, cocoa and balsamic nose. Rich palate and a very dark-fruit-led leather-infused palate – but underpinned by good acidity. Seems a bit atypical for Crozes but has a nice compact smoky palate. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 14 months in old oak. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Ripe red- and dark-fruit nose. Sweet and savoury with good freshness and tight well-managed tannins – scorched earth and chocolate with a warming finish; the alcohol is notable but still has good acidity underneath. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 11 months in barrel. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Smoked and toasted nose with a nice lick of pepper. A direct and fresh palate with nice savoury notes and firm tannins. Nice fresh and juicy style that will show best in a year or two. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Youthful meat-laden nose, earthy and very spicy. Nice brooding fruit – violet tinged and savoury with firm tannins, feels pretty rich with concentrated fruit and is shut for business right now. Intense and long finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Tasted at the domaine. Attractive and powerful nose – dark kirsch, sweet spice and lots of energy and power. Firm and textured fine tannins, meaty and bacon-fat smoke underpin the wine – a muscular character with a charred-meat note on the finish, very savoury and intense wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. No oak (‘to preserve the fruitiness of the wine’). Bottled.
Tasted blind. Vivid blueberry pie on the nose. Ripe fruits shine through on this juicy, medium-bodied wine – well-judged but present, rounded tannins are integrating nicely and there is a sense of freshness on the palate alongside a spiced earthy note. (AC)

100% Syrah. Destemmed. Aged for 12 months in demi-muids (no new oak). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Violet floral aromatics, good sense of purity. Medium bodied with a nice purple streak of fruit, moderate acidity alongside a subtle meatiness and well-managed firm lingering tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 10 months in second-, third- and fourth-use barrels.
Tasted blind. Expressive nose with chocolate, smoked notes and cola. A plush palate is peppered by firm tannins and moderate intensity of dark plummy fruits. Good freshness – a clean peppery finish with a cooling menthol feel. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged for 11 months in concrete.
Tasted blind. Perfume and spice with a nice violet note on the nose. Nice rounded palate with moderate fruit intensity and well-managed fine tannins, juicy and fruit driven. Appealing. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 10–12 months in 225-litre barrels, none new. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Some leather and pencil-shaving notes on the nose. Sweet and vibrant fruit notes, ripe blackberry and well-judged firm tannins that need time to integrate into the wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Ageing in demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Marked black olives and tapenade on the nose. A dense palate and firm acidity, layered tannins and a nice savoury peppery note on the rich finish. Feels quite ripe in style but underpinned by good zesty acidity. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 6 months in concrete and stainless-steel tank (80%) and old oak (20%).
Tasted blind. Lovely pure and vibrant nose with cool blue fruits. Lots of refreshing acidity to complement the juicy and vivid fruit on the palate. Soft tannins and an easy-going, approachable, enjoyable wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic. Aged only in concrete. Tank sample.
Tasted blind. Very ripe nose with black peppercorn and olive. A sleek and weighty palate with vibrant acidity and well-managed tannins – a dense and plush wine with a leather and balsamic note on the cleansing finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged in stainless-steel tank ‘to preserve the purity and freshness of the fruit’. No added SO2 during vinification and ageing. Bottled.
Tasted blind. Ripe dark blue and plummy fruits. Leather and sweet tobacco spice with fresh acidity and well-managed fine tannins. A rich, approachable and enjoyable wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic, in conversion to biodynamics. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A little reductive with game and smoked meat on the nose. Ripe fruits and a very savoury style, quite firm and tight tannins, a slight charred smoked note on the finish. (AC)

Tasted blind. Pepper and oak on the nose. Medium bodied showing prune and dark fruits, a note of tobacco spice and robust tannins. Shows some good fruit concentration but the hefty tannins need lots of time to knit. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 10–12 months part in tank and part in oak. Bottled.
Tasted blind. Primary nose with a little smoky reduction. Slightly chewy palate with moderate fruit intensity and firm tannins – there is some good freshness beneath the leathery, dark, dense palate. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged for 12 months in barriques (20% new). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Nice layers of tannin support a weighty palate with a note of menthol and dark-fruit spice. Quite ripe and extracted in style. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 14 months in old demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Clove and spice on the palate with firm tannins and ripe dark fruits – the tannins dominate a little at the moment and need lots of time to integrate. There is good fruit here, rustic-style wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Part matured in large oak barrels for 8 months.
Tasted blind. Cedary woody notes on the nose. Very firm tannins with bright blue fruits beneath. Hiding under its cloak of tannins, shows a nice streak of freshness. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12–14 months in oak (20–30% new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A serious smoke on the nose as well as cool blue mint-tinged notes. Lots of ripe fruits here, a rounded palate with moderate freshness and a weighty denseness to the finish, not the freshest but has good power. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 8–10 months in oak, then 6 months in concrete. Tank sample.
Tasted blind. Aromatic fig, raspberry and spice nose, lots of pure juicy fruits. Firm tannins and a sleek core of dark fruits, a woody char on the chewy finish – needs time. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in 228-litre barrels (70%), none new, and in stainless steel (30%). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Attractive nose with lots of vibrant blueberry and blackberry. Firm and fine tannins support the moderate-intensity dark-fruit palate. Good acidity and a nice textured finish. Needs time. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged 3–4 months in concrete only, and bottled early ‘to keep freshness and fruit’.
Tasted blind. Nice blend of smoke, spice and sweet fragrant black fruit. Good freshness but all the time with a meaty savoury note underneath. Slightly creamy mouthfeel and a ripe dark-fruit-laden finish. Weighty. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged in concrete only. Tank sample.
Tasted blind. Meaty and earthy with a little reduction on the nose. Scorched earth and very firm tannins at the moment, good fruit core but needs time to soften out the tannin. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in demi-muids and 300-litre barrels. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very robust tannins here with a sleek, medium-bodied palate. Some nice blue fruit with good freshness fighting the firm tannins at the moment. Needs a couple of years to soften. (AC)

Aged for 6–8 months in demi-muids (85%) and first- and second-use barriques (15%). Bottled.
Tasted blind. Dark kirsch and cola notes. Spice and leather and a sleek palate with firm tannins and a rich finish. There is some good acidity to keep it engaging and fresh. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 15 months in barrel (70% new, 30% second use). Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Nice violet and floral note and pencil shavings on the nose. Violet-laden medium-bodied palate that has well-judged firm tannins, a slight creaminess and a good streak of acidity on a moderate finish. Juicy and appealing. (AC)

100% Syrah. Bottled.
Tasted blind. Slightly reductive at the moment but some good dark fruits beneath. Juicy and approachable on the palate, made in a soft, early-drinking style – light tannins and sweet dark fruits with a coffee/mocha note. (AC)

Tasted blind. A weighty nose with dark plum-laden fruit and a minty snap. A ripe rich broad wine with very firm and present tannins and a sprawling finish, missing a little freshness. (AC)

100% Syrah. Bottled.
Tasted blind. A smoke-infused nose with bright blue fruit. A wild note on the palate with firm robust tannins. Medium bodied and a little coffee charred note on the moderate finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 10–14 months in old oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very smoky, backwards, reductive nose. Very rich and ripe fruits, a charred-meat note and a broad expansive palate – not the freshest. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 14 months, part in tank and part in second- and third-use burgundy barrels. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Ripe plum-laden nose. Rich fruit cake and ripe dark fruits on the palate, some good freshness keeps this alive and balances the slightly warming alcohol on the rich layered finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Small proportion aged in oak, most in tank. Tank sample.
Tasted blind. A rubbery nose with some slight meaty reductive notes. Medium bodied and firm tannins, with ripe dark fruits and a meaty char on the finish. An opulent wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 10 months in barrel (none new). Bottled.
Tasted blind. Smoky and very light palate, the tannins are very fine and already integrated. Moderate fruit core and feels very light on its feet, especially for this vintage! (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for around 15 months in 275-litre barrels. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Full and ripe style, chocolate and dark ripe fruits – a smoky note with moderate acidity and medium finish. A rounded, weighty wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 15 months in 228- and 400-litre barrels, 10% new. Barrel sample.
Tasted blind. Bacon fat and very firm tannins on the palate – lacking a little freshness on this showing and needs time to tame those tannins! (AC)

Aged for 6–8 months in demi-muids and foudres. Bottled.
Tasted blind. Simple juicy and easy approachable wine – not too much concentration of fruit but shows good fresh acidity on the medium-bodied palate. Clean and accessible. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 9 months in oak. Bottled.
Tasted blind. Reductive on the nose, slightly farmyardy. The robust tannins are very prominent and dominate the palate, which shows a meaty and a slightly lactic character. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in demi-muids of different ages (0–5 years). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Bacon-fat and savoury nose. A rounded mouthfeel supported by firm and structured tannins and an appealing richness – a robust almost rustic wine with a warming finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged for 9 months in oak.
Tasted blind. Fruit-forward dark-fruit nose – very firm tannins and behind there is some dark-fruit character but very obscured at the moment. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged on lees: 3 months in tanks, then at least 12 months in foudres. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Simple, juicy, fruit-led style – medium weight but with robust tannins. Not complex. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic, biodynamic. Aged for 12 months in old oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Blue fruits with a vanilla note on the nose. A firm ferrous palate with moderate acidity and chewy mouthfeel – a warming note on the ripe finish. (AC)

Tasted blind. Very ripe dark fruits with a lactic yogurt note. Feels a touch overripe and a full smoky finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 24 months in oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Primary and raw nose. Lots of tannin here with very ripe fruit and lacking freshness. (AC)

100% Syrah, the Reynard, confusingly, comes from the Chaillot parcel but is from vines over 40 years old (younger-vine fruit goes into the Chaillot cuvée). Cask samples tasted at the domaine.
Sample 1
Stunning dense purple core. Intense reductive wild and smoky nose with roasted game. Such intensity on the palate with bacon, violets and saline mineral notes. Very firm tannins, very tight structure and stunning purity.
Sample 2
Vivid, vibrant, pure nose with blackcurrant and graphite mineral notes. Ripe and sweet fruit with finely polished tannins that support the vibrant acidity that runs throughout the spine of this wine. There's a suggestion of peppery, clove and eucalypt spice underneath just waiting to emerge with time. Impressive. (AC)

100% Syrah, the Chaillot is from young (20- to 40-year-old) vines. Cask samples tasted at the domaine.
Sample 1
Incredible density of colour – aromatically this is all clove, balsamic and meaty spice. A gamey and powerful dense palate with powdery and firm tannins. There is a granitic chewy feel to the wine, very tightly coiled, youthful, with bay leaf and ashy smoke to the finish.
Sample 2
Smoky reduction on the nose. Real density on the palate with chocolate and fruit cake, liquorice and spice. Fine and firm prominent tannins but with fantastic fruit concentration. (AC)

100% Syrah. A selection of barrels is chosen for extended ageing of 22 months in 225- to 400-litre oak barrels, none new. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Rugged and savoury with some garrigue character. Crushed violets with brooding dense and purple fruit with rounded tannins – liquorice spice and a seductive long finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample, tasted at the domaine.
Oak and dark pastille fruit nose with cola and clove. Lots of intensity – very ripe and pure fruit, amazing aromatics with spice and deep inky fruit. Deep and rich very intense fruit on the finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 16 months in old oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Appealing and powerful fruit-led nose. Lovely vivacity and drive behind the meaty and spice-infused mid palate, the tannins are forward and present but integrating into the wine very nicely. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample, tasted at the domaine.
Dark fig and roasted notes with an intense inky pepperiness with leather. Some lovely floral notes and a minerality through the mid palate, nice freshness and firm textured tannins. Needs time to tame the tannins but is a lovely expression. (AC)

100% Syrah. 100% whole-bunch with indigenous yeast. 12 months’ ageing in 400-litre old oak, then 2 months in tank. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very juicy and vivid nose with blueberry and plums. Expressive and energetic palate with focus and finely managed tannins – a lick of minerality and lots of pleasure here. Sense of freshness is invigorating. (AC)

Organic (in conversion). Vinified in tronconic vats; aged 12 months in old oak barrels. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Plenty of lifted floral perfume on the nose. A lovely combination of sweet dark fruit, black pepper and finely tuned prominent tannins. They are integrating nicely and beneath there is a note of tobacco spice and crushed violet. Good freshness and should come together very nicely in the coming years. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12–14 months in oak (10% new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Gamey notes with sweet plum and blue-fruit aromas. A rich palate that combines freshness and power nicely, the tannins are very firm but well managed. An opulent, satisfying style that has bags of dark fruit and a subtle savoury undertone. Powerful, enjoyable and slightly naughty and hedonistic. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged 15 months in 225- to 400-litre oak barrels, none new. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Meaty, reductive spice-laden nose. While wild and spicy there is a wonderful vibrant violet note underneath – savoury grip on the mid palate and very fine layered grippy tannins. Dense and powerful wine with lots of life. (AC)

100% Syrah. Cask sample, tasted at the domaine.
Deep and brooding granitic crunch on the nose, meaty and spice led. Ripe mouthfeel with good acidity and a rugged structure – very firm tannins dominate and this is a wild spicy robust beast of a wine. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12–14 months in oak (10% new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. The nose is full of energy and vibrant dark fruits. Tobacco and earthy spice with vivid acidity on the mid palate and a layered finish. Quite backwards at the moment but I love the meaty spice just beginning to show underneath the firm tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. 12–14 months’ ageing in oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A peppery fine and herbal spice on the nose with some cedary oaky notes. Fresh palate and firm tannins dominate the dark-fruit core. Needs plenty of time to integrate the tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. 18 months’ ageing in oak, 50% new. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Lots of meatiness and a charred-oak nose. A nice peppery note on the palate with vibrant fruit and good purity. Quite lively and refreshing style that should offer pleasure in the relatively short term. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 16 months in old oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Lots of energy on the nose, dark pastille fruit and a hint of violet. Blueberry and dark plums with a meaty undertone and very firm tannins that are quite prominent – a spice-laden finish. Needs time to integrate those tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 16 months in old oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Tight nose at the moment. Lots of fresh acidity and slightly rustic tannins but with a nice broad spectrum of vivid dark fruits, subtle spice and an earthy undertone. A nice refreshing style, which will offer great pleasure in a year or two. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged 14 months in old oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Primary fruits with a peppery twang on the nose. Lots of black pepper on the palate with a juicy core of dark fruits and sweet tobacco. Fine and textured tannins and a nice fresh finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic. Aged for 21 months in oak (15% new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Fairly dominant oak on the nose. Some peppery spice behind a firm and taut palate with prominent tight tannins. There is some good deep dark fruit and good freshness and a tightly coiled finish. Should express itself over time. (AC)

Aged in old oak barrels and demi-muids. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very ripe dark fruits, blackcurrant, liquorice. A rounded palate that is supported by really vibrant acidity, finely tuned tannins and surrounded by sweet and ripe black fruits. More in the fruit-led, easy-drinking rather than savoury style. (AC)

Cask sample. Tasted blind. Savoury and tabasco nose. Fresh acidity on the palate with earthy notes and finely grained tannins. Bacon fat and spice with firm tannic structure. Very backwards at the moment. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic (in conversion). Aged for 18 months in oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Vibrant nose with lots of dark fruit and pastille notes. Fresh with moderate intensity of plummy fruit – clean and pure with a lot of acidity. (AC)

100% Syrah. In conversion to organic and biodynamic farming. Fermentation with indigenous yeast and ageing 100% in old oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Lots of acidity and moderate fruit intensity. Firm tannins and a juicy easy style – just need to integrate the tannins. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 12–14 months in oak. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very meaty and smoky nose. Powerful palate with ripe dark fruits and firm gripping tannins. Moderate acidity and a broad finish. (AC)

100% Syrah. 100% whole-bunch with indigenous yeast. 12 months’ ageing in 400-litre new oak, then 2 months in tank. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Subtle white pepper underneath a cloak of dark fruits. Firm tannins with cocoa nib, scorched-earth notes, meaty and a ripe dense mid palate. Quite drying at the moment and not showing very well. (AC)

100% Syrah, 75% destemmed. Aged 12 months in barriques, 20% new. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Ripe blueberry fruit with a subtle spice on the nose. A suggestion of smoked bacon with a ripe dark-fruit core and hefty tannins, a powerful, rich fruit-cake style. A bit overworked for me. (AC)

100% Syrah, 80% destemmed. Aged 12 months in barriques, 20% new. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Violets and spice on the powerful ripe nose. Slightly pruney notes and ripe fruits with powdery tannins that dominate the palate. (AC)

100% Syrah. 15 months’ ageing in oak (50% new, 50% second-use). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A quite extracted feel to the ripe black-fruit core. Very chewy style with lots of cola and dominant oak on both the nose and the palate. Hard to see the fruit through it at the moment. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged on lees in tank for 2 months, then at least 2 years in barrels. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. A very dark nose, chocolate and balsamic. A weighty style, dominated by ripe fruits and slightly bitter tannins. A little soupy. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic. Aged for 22 months in oak (15% new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very highly tuned nose, balsamic and saddle-leather old-school horsiness. The palate feels a bit pinched. (AC)

100% Syrah. Organic. Aged for 22 months in oak (one-third new). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Cola and leather on the nose. A sleek palate with quite rustic tannins. Not showing well here. (AC)

100% Syrah. Aged for 18 months in oak, 35% new. Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Very ripe fruit on the palate, fruit cake and not showing well here. (AC)