Grown in the Lieu dits "Les Arlettes", this Syrah grows on vines up to 55 years old on pure granite and granite weathered soils. For the Billes Noir, the grapes are de-stemmed to 100%, the grape cap is punched down daily for the time of the approximately two-week fermentation. Spontaneously fermented without any additives, the wine is aged for 12 months first in 10-year-old tonneaux and then for another 12 months in concrete eggs, where it is stirred twice a year before being bottled unfined.
Color
Dark ruby red with black core.
Nose
The name of the 2016 Billes Noir says it all, and so does the nose of this exceptional Syrah, initially black as night until silhouettes are slowly discerned in the all-encompassing darkness. Its after black cherries, blackberries and mulberries waft lightly smoky notes that shepherd the twilight of fruit and spice. Juniper, dark tobacco and black olives add herbaromatically to the dark. The full picture of this Syrah, when viewed in the light, unfolds best in large, expensive glasses after timely decanting.
Mouth
Despite all the darkness, despite all the anticipatory power on the nose, the Billes Noir, like all Barret wines, is almost light on its feet, so disciplined is it on the palate. With an initially almost hesitant appearance, it builds up more and more pressure without ever lapsing into bolide ponderousness. Fruit, tannin and acidity combine on the palate to a stringent cooperation with a menacingly low sipping resistance and a smoky, fruity cool finish with an impressive length. Syrah Directors Cut!
Food recommendations from Sebastian Bordthäuser
- Focaccia with dried tomatoes, black olives, rosemary and capers
- Braised octopus with potatoes, tomato and black olives Salento style
- Smoked beef rib with adobo and tomato and plum salsa
Allergens | Contains sulfur |
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Winemaker | Du Coulet |
Country | France |
Region | Rhône |
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Content | |
Alcohol content | |
Residual sweetness | ■□□□□ |
Acid | 5,1 g/l |
Drinking temperature | 18° |
Parker points | 96 |
Manufacturer | Domaine du Coulet, rue du Ruisseau 43, 07130 Cornas / France, organic certificate: FR-BIO-01 |