Made from grapes grown in the "Côte Rotie" vineyard whose name the growers have been forbidden to use (in case you mix it up with Syrah from the Northern Rhône!). There is also a small amount of juice from the "Terres Noires" vineyard that Guffens used to make as a single vineyard wine, until the yields become so low as to make it impractical. As usual, this has exceptional density and is clearly one of the finest wines of the appellation. 30% new oak. A real crowdpleaser in 2022, the nose has a beautiful vanilla pod sheen over poached pear and peach blossom. The palate is just as glossy, with seamless ripe fruits in tones of peach and fresher citrus. Fleshy with balancing acidity and growing breadth through the mid palate, there is a luscious buttery tone to this wine yet it remains fresh with floral high tones to keep everything in check. A delicious, moreish wine that will deliver right out of the gates but equally deliver with a few years bottle age. Gorgeous.
Ripe and generous, the 2022 Saint-Véran Lieu (Inter)dit delivers aromas of pear, waxy citrus fruit, freshly baked bread and sweet stone fruits, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and satiny palate. A little more cut and tension would have stood this cuvée in good stead. Drink 2023-2035.
