M. Chapoutier : Neve 2021

An elegant, savory red, with a cool-vintage signature of white pepper and a pronounced herbal thread. Singed bacon fat and smokiness hover around plum and graphite. Shows impressive textural complexity and balance, with finely polished tannins and a lovely lavender-smoke note that plays out through the refined finish. Drink now through 2040. 10 cases imported.

A fresh, aerial, violet-scented style, though it’s introverted for now. It has exceptionally fine tannins – very similar in style to La Viallière. It’s well balanced, with high acidity and fairly generous tannins. A mineral style. Lieu-dit Neve, south of La Viallière, with rocky mica schist soils.

A refined, seductive and well-crafted Cote-Rotie with aromas of dark cherries, currants, dried herbs, cured meat, leather, crushed stones and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. Super fine structure with balance and grace. Bright acidity brings liveliness and light at the center. It’s so elegant and restrained, with a silky texture pushing through. There is a ton of spices as well adding to the great vitality this wine found in this cooler vintage. Long and spicy finish. Limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

Cask sample. Attractive nose with mulberry and oaky notes. Red fruits, strawberry and bright acidity – deep, dark fruits as well. The acidity lifts this wine. Earthy and ferrous while also bright and lively. A dense structure but a lively, energetic wine. (AC)

The medium-bodied 2021 Côte-Rôtie Neve cannot keep up with the more enticing 2022 rendition. Nonetheless, it offers up delicious raspberry, orange blossom, red cherry, and earthy nuances. Lean and athletic, the 2021 is built on gentle tannins and concludes with freshness on the moderately long finish.