Domanie de Bonserine - Cote Rotie La Sarrasine 2013
Price: $75.00
| Producer | Domanie de Bonserine |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhone Valley |
| Subregion | Cote Rotie |
| Varietal | Rhone Blend |
| Vintage | 2013 |
| Sku | 02230 |
Domanie de Bonserine Description
Located in the north of Côte-Rôtie in Verenay, northeast of the town Ampuis, Domaine de Bonserine is owned by Ets. Guigal, but it is absolutely independent with its own winemaking, commercial and logistics team. The domain today owns 27 acres of vineyards in Côte-Rôtie and about 2.5 acres in the Condrieu appellation.
Planted in some of the best terroir plots in the Côte-Rôtie appellation in both Côte-Blonde and Côte-Brune, the domain has holdings in the lieux-dits (places) of Les Moutonnes, La Viallière, Le Champin, Leyat, Fongeant and Planèze; in Condrieu, it owns vineyards in les Eyguets and la Grande. Soils there are mostly schist, mixed in with iron and mica. All vineyard work is conducted following sustainable practices; in all its vineyard farming, no herbicides, chemicals or pesticides are employed.
The Syrah grape is by French AOC regulations the dominant and only red grape variety allowed in the Northern Rhône appellations, including Côte-Rôtie; however up to 20% Viognier is also permitted. The Domaine’s La Sarrasine is a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, the grapes are 100% destemmed. The wine is aged in 60% new French oak for up to 24 months. On average, 2,500 cases are produced each year.
Terroir: "La Sarrasine" is Bonserine’s signature wine. It is a blend of 10 terroirs mostly coming from the North part of the appellation in the Côte Brune (brown slope), hence the name “Sarrasine” (translating to “Saracen”). Cote Blonde is the larger of the two hills with a terroir of sand, granite, schist rock, and limestone soils. Those elements crate a lighter colored soil than the Cote Brune. Cote Blonde is located slightly south of Cote Brune giving it a south by south east exposure. Cote Brune has is the smaller of the two hills and has a terroir of clay and iron oxide along with granite, mica, schist rock and limestone soils. Those elements create a darker colored soil than you find on the Cote Blonde. These differences in terroir explain the power and more masculine style of wine from the Cote Brune, versus the opulent, lush qualities found in Cote Blonde wines. The average age of vines is 30 years.
Varietal: 97 % Syrah complemented by 3 % Viognier, adding pretty floral notes. Cote-Rôtie is the only red cru in the Northern Côtes du Rhône to plant Viognier (up to 20%) alongside the Syrah. The Syrah produces quality wines, with rich colors and tannin content. In Côte-Rôtie, viognier complements the Syrah with finesse and aromas.
The most forward and charming of the range, medium-bodied, this wine expresses well all the richness and complexity of a great Cote Rotie. The wine expresses dark fruit, rose, violet aromas with silky and crunchy tannins. It can age for 10 to 15 years.
2013 vintage: The spring was cold and rainy making it hard for the vines to grow. But luckily, great Summer conditions helped the vineyard be back on track. The grapes were harvested late, mid-October, but they express a fantastic phenolic maturity.
Pairing: Ideal with poultry, grilled red meat and cheese.
Wine Spectator: 93 Points
This is solidly built, offering a core of red currant, bitter plum and raspberry coulis flavors that stretch out over slightly taut singed alder and juniper notes. Flashes of bay leaf and chestnut kick in on the finish, where a lingering iron accent has a mouthwatering feel. Best from 2019 through 2029.
–JM
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