Côte Rôtie "Bons Arrêts" 2022 Stéphane Montez | Rhône

In the northern Rhône Valley, Stéphane Montez 's Côte-Rôtie cuvée Bons Arrêts embodies the quintessential style of Domaine du Monteillet. Set on vertiginous south-east-facing slopes, this rare monopole draws its identity from the famous "terres blondes", a leucogneiss soil that lends the wine an uncommon mineral tension and airy elegance. Here, Syrah (95%) unites with a touch of Viognier (5%), in a blend of great purity. The vines are hand-grown with the precision of a goldsmith, and harvested in small crates before total destemming. The long fermentations take place under thermal control to preserve the fruit's brilliance, and are triggered solely by the indigenous yeasts. Ageing lasts almost twenty months in barrels, some of which are new, allowing the wine to express all the nobility of its terroir.

Philippe Mischler sommelier at Mundovin : With Côte Rôtie Bons Arrêts, Stéphane Montez du Monteillet has created one of the finest expressions of Côte Rotie. This wine estate monopole combines rigor and sensuality, with dazzling precision of execution. The unique hallmarks of Domaine du Monteillet are evident: dazzling fruit, tannins of rare finesse, and aromatic depth that reflects the grandeur of the northern Rhône Valley.

On the nose, the cuvée's first attraction is its intensity of expression. Aromas of blackcurrant jelly, wild blackberry and violet emerge with true elegance, enhanced by fine smoky touches. Aeration brings out menthol and pepper notes, while a hint of graphite adds invigorating mineral freshness.

On the palate, the juicy attack is carried by a salivating tension and fruit of great purity. The still-tight tannins are precise and melt smoothly into the fleshy body. Ripe black fruit mingles with the complexity of peppery, licorice and smoky notes in bewitching harmony. The finish stretches out on a sensation of minty freshness and noble minerality.