The colour is medium purple. At first the nose is dominated by animal musk. Fortunately, with some air it fades away and leaves space to more pleasant earthy notes and some prunes. In the mouth an explosion of savour characterises the final. An enjoyment that seems to finish abruptly, only to surprise a few seconds later by coming back for a long-lasting aftertaste rich in fruity sensations. Subsequent sips give a more consistent pleasure, with well-integrated tannins drying the mouth. Overall for sure not a trivial wine as most on the market.
This red wine is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Viognier is a white grape variety that is typically added to the red wines of the Côte-Rôtie. A tradition that dates back ages and that served the purpose of smoothing the very bold Syrah. A field blend achieved by simply planting some Viognier vines among the Syrah vineyards.
Côte Rôtie is the Rhône Valley’s northernmost appellation, and one of its smallest and most prestigious. In this unique area the steep hillsides (côtes) rise sharply from the banks of the River Rhône to heights of 330m. Impressive vineyards! So steep that it is almost difficult to stand on them.
Established in 1781, Vidal-Fleury is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Rhône Valley. It opened in time to receive the visit of Thomas Jefferson in 1787.
Before founding his own winery in 1946, Etienne Guigal worked at Vidal-Fleury. In the mid ‘80s Guigal bought Vidal-Fleury. Although belonging to the Guigal Estate, Vidal-Fleury still maintains commercial and technical autonomy.
For this bottle I paid 32 EUR directly at the winery when I visited in 2015, but checking on the Internet seems like that this wine is currently selling for double the price I paid back then. This is true even for more recent vintages. Judging from this bottle, the price increase may be justified.
Country: France
Region: Côte-Rôtie
Grapes: Syrah, Viognier
Type: Red
Vintage: 2009
Producer: Vidal-Fleury
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5