Bernard Levet
Les Journaries Côte-Rôtie Syrah
Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
The Northern Rhône example in our little, impromptu North/South face-off during Christmas Eve dinner. This is a European bottled version of “Les Journaries” which is labeled there as “La Maestria”. Most of the grapes are sourced from Levet’s holdings in La Landonne. The bottle was opened about two hours prior and probably would have benefitted from being opened two days prior in retrospect. That being said, this was stunning...and positively feral. Underbrush, herbs, brambles, flowers, meat, anise, and cinnamon bark on the nose and on the palate. As striking as this is right now, the best is yet to come and these will deliver even more joy in 10-15 years. These wines are a beautiful little secret. If you must, drink after a rather protracted decant otherwise stash these deep in the cellar. For those wondering, we paired a 2009 Domaine de Beaurenard “Boisrenard” as the Southern Rhône example which, while massively different in style, was stunning in its own right.
The Northern Rhône example in our little, impromptu North/South face-off during Christmas Eve dinner. This is a European bottled version of “Les Journaries” which is labeled there as “La Maestria”. Most of the grapes are sourced from Levet’s holdings in La Landonne. The bottle was opened about two hours prior and probably would have benefitted from being opened two days prior in retrospect. That being said, this was stunning...and positively feral. Underbrush, herbs, brambles, flowers, meat, anise, and cinnamon bark on the nose and on the palate. As striking as this is right now, the best is yet to come and these will deliver even more joy in 10-15 years. These wines are a beautiful little secret. If you must, drink after a rather protracted decant otherwise stash these deep in the cellar. For those wondering, we paired a 2009 Domaine de Beaurenard “Boisrenard” as the Southern Rhône example which, while massively different in style, was stunning in its own right.
Dec 25th, 2018
Floral & savory notes in perfect balance on the nose. Finessed palate with layers of dark fruit, brine & smoke. Tannins are moderate, but present. Rests beautifully between power & elegant freshness. Absolutely excellent.
Floral & savory notes in perfect balance on the nose. Finessed palate with layers of dark fruit, brine & smoke. Tannins are moderate, but present. Rests beautifully between power & elegant freshness. Absolutely excellent.
1 person found it helpfulAug 2nd, 2020Would love to get this and age it for a long time. Black pepper stood out amongst a lot.
Would love to get this and age it for a long time. Black pepper stood out amongst a lot.
May 1st, 2017
Deliciously wild and funky. Deeply pitched smoky fruit but very fresh. Serious tannic structure to age but already showing tons of quality.
Deliciously wild and funky. Deeply pitched smoky fruit but very fresh. Serious tannic structure to age but already showing tons of quality.
Dec 17th, 2017
Flowers, funk, blood. Grippy tannin, fairly tight even with a few hours of air.
Flowers, funk, blood. Grippy tannin, fairly tight even with a few hours of air.
May 15th, 2017Unbelievable $50 wine. Highly aromatically lifted for a new wine. Lots of dark red toned fruit, mineral and acid. Really could reach 9.7
Unbelievable $50 wine. Highly aromatically lifted for a new wine. Lots of dark red toned fruit, mineral and acid. Really could reach 9.7
Nov 23rd, 2016
Gordon's northern Rhone tasting 9/20/16. Average of 60 yrs vine. Very small percentage destemmed. Nose of dark fruits and wet stones. Palate balanced and elegant even though tannins still high. Long finish of fruit and minerals. Yummy.
Gordon's northern Rhone tasting 9/20/16. Average of 60 yrs vine. Very small percentage destemmed. Nose of dark fruits and wet stones. Palate balanced and elegant even though tannins still high. Long finish of fruit and minerals. Yummy.
Sep 21st, 2016Just like its little sister, quite tannic, but shows great potential.
Just like its little sister, quite tannic, but shows great potential.
Sep 15th, 2016
Outstanding. Tar, smoke, pepper. Bacon. Funk. Great Côte rotie. An Amazing value for extraordinary wine.
Outstanding. Tar, smoke, pepper. Bacon. Funk. Great Côte rotie. An Amazing value for extraordinary wine.
Aug 4th, 2016