Côte Rôtie “Les Binardes” AOC 2022

Wine Description for Côte Rôtie “Les Binardes” AOC 2022 by Maison Stephan

Colour & Appearance

Dense, luminous purple with seductive violet undertones and a characteristic, slight cloudiness – the unfiltered hallmark of a wine that has been left entirely untouched.

Nose

The bouquet is of striking depth and precision. Elderberry, blackberry and mulberry form a dark, juicy fruit foundation, elegantly woven through with white and black pepper, juniper and cinnamon. Liquorice and dark chocolate lend volume, whilst black tea and fresh rosehip open a cool, floral dimension. Beneath: raw iron, blood and pure stone – the signature of leucogneiss and quartz. The southern flourish comes from garrigue, rosemary, thyme and green olive.

Palate

Slender, taut and suffused with a silky coolness that defines the northern Rhône and which we cherish. The Syrah’s fruit reveals itself in its purest, most unadorned form – precise and vibrant. Juniper, white pepper and liquorice dominate the mid-palate, Mediterranean herb notes underscore the character with warmth and wildness. The tannins are fine and integrated, the acidity enlivens without demanding.

Finish

Long, mineral and marked by persistent spicy freshness. The iron-laden, almost bloody aftertaste has the final word – unrelenting and unforgettable.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from two hectares in the vineyard sites Tupin and Côteau du Tupin with a gradient of 40 per cent. The name Les Binardes derives from the Napoleonic vineyard register. Leucogneiss and quartz characterise the subsoil, the vines are between 15 and 40 years old, and yields are deliberately kept low at around 30 hl/ha.

Grape Variety & Vinification

90% Syrah, complemented by 10% Viognier. After harvest comes a cold maceration of whole bunches, fermentation takes place using the semi-carbonic method with regular remontage and pigeage. Twelve months ageing in cement tank, no filtration, no sulphur, no additives – radical craftsmanship in its purest form.

Food Pairing Suggestions

An ideal companion to roasted lamb loin with a gratin of olive, feta and beans. Equally compelling with Orecchiette Puttanesca or a simple artichoke with bulgur and rocket – dishes that mirror its wild, Mediterranean soul.

Special Characteristics

A natural wine that needs no apologies. Maison Stephan consistently eschews any intervention – the result is a Côte Rôtie of electric vibrancy, uniting classicism and wildness in rare harmony. Sexy, provocative and absolutely worth drinking.