Francois Villard, Cote Rotie, Le Gallet Blanc

Still very primary. Double decanted 4hours and drunk over the next 3. Dark fruit, smoke and pepper on the nose. Silky texture with a nice acidity that balance the heaviness of the aromas. More on the heavy side for cote rotie, but very well made.

Some white pepper, iron, loads of black currant, black cherry, a little bit too acidic at the moment. Body medium plus, good tannins, slightly astringent. Would have paired really well with a ribeye. Medium plus aftertaste.

In its youth. No great depth of complexity for me today, though very good. Had it in Switzerland during a stay with family. My brother-in-law also opened a 2018 Merlot/Cab Franc named Le Druids grand cru, from a small local producer in the Vaud part of Swiss. It was the wine of the trip in my view. Unfortunately I can't find it anywhere online and it's not on cellartracker. Shame, it was excellent.

Clear, deep intensity and ruby in colour. Nose dark fruit, black pepper, graphite, violets, meaty, floral. High acidity and very high tannins so delicious. Northern most extreme we can grow Syrah. Steepest slopes in Cote Rotie. Syrah with 1% voignier. Fruit from 6 special lieux-dits. Steep granite and schist hillside sites. Wild yeast. 60% whole cluster fermented. French oak aged for 18 months in 30% new barrels, always late picked.

La Bonne Table. $140. Not bad. Interesting.

90-92 Grosse ossature. A revoir vers 2025-2027

Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône; 4/15/2019-4/16/2019 (Ampuis, Mauves and Tain-l'Hermitage) : Walk around tasting talking with the producers, brief note. Also very ripe but with the substance and structure to retain near-balance. Good+ length with a firm finish. Good.