2017 R.I, Côtes-du-Roussillon Villages Lesquerde, Bila-Haut, Chapoutier

"Practically 100% Syrah grown on decomposed granite, the 2017 Côtes-du-Roussillon Villages Lesquerde Rectificando Invenies features hints of pencil shavings, licorice and plum on the nose. Full-bodied, structured and firm, this is impressive more than generous, but it's not overly hard and ends up being more giving on the long, lingering finish." 92-94 points, Wine Advocate.

About the producer:
Michel Chapoutier's Roussillon outpost is a worthy extension to his Rhône Valley operations. The emphasis is on the same varieties - reached and syrah, in varying proportions depending on the terroir - and overall quality is very good, with the séléctions parcellaires particularly notable for their excellence and limited production volumes. "My opinion is that Roussillon is like the Northern Rhône in Languedoc-Roussillon," Chapoutier said at the start of our February tasting in the tiny village of Latour-de-France. He and the rest of his team are quite high on the prospects of the 2017s and 2018s, both of which they describe as being excellent vintages. Worth noting is that while Chapoutier makes mostly dry wines in Roussillon, he hasn't abandoned traditional styles. "When I bought in Banyuls in 1995, the market for fortifieds was quite down" he said. "But I really believe there is a place in gastronomy for fortifieds."