Cuilleron Bassenon Cote-Rotie 2022

CRITICAL ACCLAIM;

“Complex and multifaceted, with a chewy, ripe core of cherry and black raspberry accented with ganache, lavender paste and singed vanilla bean. Iron bolts ground everything, with polished tannins guiding the long, intense finish. Shows elegance rather than concentration, plus a beautiful texture. Syrah and Viognier. Best from 2027 through 2032. 72 cases imported.” - 93 PTS, WINE SPECTATOR

“The fleshy 2022 Côte-Rôtie Bassenon ushers in licorice, ripe black cherry, cured meat and iodine aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, the expressive 2022 lands on the palate with elevated flavor concentration, softly framed around gentle tannins. Closing with resonance on the savory finish.” - 92 PTS, VINOUS MEDIA

“Red, blue, and black fruits, violets, potpourri, baking chocolate, and spice all emerge from the 2022 Côte Rôtie Bassenon, a more approachable Côte Rôtie than either the Bonnivières or Viallière. Medium to full-bodied and mouth-filling, with a rich and textured profile and rounded tannins.” - 91 PTS, JEB DUNNUCK

IMPORTER NOTES:

TASTING: “An elegant bouquet that mixes Syrah’s red berry fruits with Viognier’s floral character (violets). Elegant, fresh and airy on the palate. Subtle yet prominent tannins. (90% Syrah, 10% Viognier)”

VINEYARDS: “Grown on 1.5 ha of south-facing terraced vines on Coteau de Semons, in Tupin-Semons commune. “Bassenon” is not the district but the stream at the foot of the hill. The soil of granite and gneiss is typical in the south of this AOC area. Organic, Eco-friendly farming. No insecticides are used.”

VINIFICATION: “The grapes are picked by hand then sorted, crushed and partially destemmed in the cellar. Open, temperature-controlled vatting occurs for about three weeks with regular cap-punching and pumping-over. Malolactic-fermentation is in barriques with native yeasts. Maturation takes18 months in barriques.”