Bernard Levet
Les Journaries Côte-Rôtie Syrah
Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Great classically styled cote rotie. Still pretty closed at first, with a hint of barnyard, game and grilled meat on the nose, with background fruit. Then the palate is tart, with sour plums, red and black fruit, minty herbs, excellent length and minerality. After a day this starts to display a seductive, blueberry pie aroma and the palate has become so elegant. A real zinger! So alive, rustic, and not too lean or funky. A few more years for he tannins to settle and this will be even better.
Great classically styled cote rotie. Still pretty closed at first, with a hint of barnyard, game and grilled meat on the nose, with background fruit. Then the palate is tart, with sour plums, red and black fruit, minty herbs, excellent length and minerality. After a day this starts to display a seductive, blueberry pie aroma and the palate has become so elegant. A real zinger! So alive, rustic, and not too lean or funky. A few more years for he tannins to settle and this will be even better.
Nov 16th, 2021
This changed personality about 6 times over 6 hours... all interesting people. And ended with the best. Started well balanced, turned slightly sour, then a bit bretty, finally came together into a dark berry olive earthy suave character. Recommend with patience.
This changed personality about 6 times over 6 hours... all interesting people. And ended with the best. Started well balanced, turned slightly sour, then a bit bretty, finally came together into a dark berry olive earthy suave character. Recommend with patience.
Dec 27th, 2019
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
Aromatically beautiful wine, so much perfume, unfortunately the balance on the palate seemed off, short metallic finish with high acidity, maybe some Brett in this bottle
Aromatically beautiful wine, so much perfume, unfortunately the balance on the palate seemed off, short metallic finish with high acidity, maybe some Brett in this bottle
Jan 28th, 2018
The definition of finesse, so drinkable, lovely wine
The definition of finesse, so drinkable, lovely wine
6 people found it helpfulMay 5th, 2014Really fucking nice. My 00 prejudice wants to interject. But can't.
Really fucking nice. My 00 prejudice wants to interject. But can't.
4 people found it helpfulFeb 11th, 2014Red, blue & black berry fruit. Purple flowers, meat, & black pepper. Elevated complexity and balancing well.
Red, blue & black berry fruit. Purple flowers, meat, & black pepper. Elevated complexity and balancing well.
2 people found it helpfulSep 1st, 2014
2007, was good and meaty, just how Syrah should be, great acid also
2007, was good and meaty, just how Syrah should be, great acid also
2 people found it helpfulApr 2nd, 2014
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, 2020
Violets and Asian spice on the nose, fine tannin but fairly closed on the palate. Opens somewhat with air, but this really needs a decade + of age. Buying more. 😍😍😍
Violets and Asian spice on the nose, fine tannin but fairly closed on the palate. Opens somewhat with air, but this really needs a decade + of age. Buying more. 😍😍😍
1 person found it helpfulApr 21st, 2018