Côte-Rôtie "Fongeant" 2022 Graeme & Julie Bott | Rhône

Graeme and Julie Bott 's Côte-Rôtie Fongeant cuvée comes from an exceptional terroir in the prestigious Côte Brune. At Fongeant, sixty-year-old Syrah vines thrive on a rich, complex subsoil of schist,clay andiron oxide. The steep slopes of Côte Rôtie, typical of this most northerly appellation in the Rhône, require meticulous manual labor, guaranteeing careful management of each vine. These unique conditions give the grapes exceptional concentration, resulting in wines of great depth and complexity. Winemaking respects tradition and the natural character of the fruit: whole bunches are fermented with their indigenous yeasts in demi-muids, for gentle extraction of aromas and tannins. The wine is aged for twenty months in foudres, benefiting from ideal micro-oxygenation without excessive woody notes. This prolonged ageing refines the tannins and develops the aromatic complexity, which a further year of rest in the wine estate cellars completes.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Domaine Bott 's Côte-Rotie Fongeant is undeniably one of the great wines of the Northern Rhône Valley. Here, the Syrah develops a depth that enhances the expression of the schist terroir in a way rarely equaled in the sector. The balance of this parcel-based cuvée promises ageing potential of at least fifteen years, if you don't give in to temptation before then.

The nose reveals deep aromas of black fruit, with blackberry and black cherry mingling with licorice notes and freshness. Hints of black pepper and bitter cocoa mark the profile of Syrah aged for long periods in old barrels. A floral hint of violet adds a discreet elegance.

On the palate, the attack is powerful and concentrated, carried by a perfectly integrated tannic structure. The palate is velvety with cooked black berries and fresh, sweet spices. A hint of smoke adds complexity to the finish, which lasts for long, delicious seconds.