Bernard Levet

Les Journaries Côte-Rôtie Syrah

9.2251 ratings
9.2116 pro ratings
Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Syrah
Top Notes For
Josh Morgenthau

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
Jonathan Wall

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
Jay Kline

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
Max Reichwage

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
Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.9

The definition of finesse, so drinkable, lovely wine

The definition of finesse, so drinkable, lovely wine

6 people found it helpfulMay 5th, 2014
Scott Reiner

Really 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, 2014
Shannon Marie Latting

Red, 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
Mark Bright

Partner/Wine Director Saison Restaurant

9.4

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
Anthony Lombardi

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
Brendan Baker

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