2020 Côte-Rôtie “Fongeant”
Barruol / Lynch
While Louis Barruol has long been one of the most acclaimed producers in the southern Rhône, it’s a wonder that he hasn’t yet achieved the same recognition for his grandiose work in the northern Rhône as well. Armed with encyclopedic knowledge of Côte Rôtie terroirs, and with an approach inspired by the greats of lore (think Marius Gentaz and Robert Jasmin, for example), Barruol consistently comes up with incredibly complex, yet delicate, old-school Syrah worthy of the Côte’s pantheon. Perhaps it would be better for you and me if it stayed under the radar! It is our privilege to bring in a pure cuvée sourced exclusively from the Fongeant lieu-dit, which sits right on the border of the Côte Blonde and Côte Brune, and is renowned for sharing the best of both: tannins and structure from the Brune side, with silky, floral elegance provided by the Blonde.
—Chris Santini
| Wine Type: | red |
| Vintage: | 2020 |
| Bottle Size: | 750mL |
| Blend: | Syrah |
| Appellation: | Côte Rôtie |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Northern Rhône |
| Producer: | Barruol / Lynch |
| Winemaker: | Louis Barruol |
| Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
| Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2021 Côtes du Vivarais Rouge
France | Northern Rhône
Aromas of black pepper, briny black olive, and violets with the earthiness, herbs, and concentration of southern Rhône Grenache.
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from six vineyards that, when blended, showcase the whole of the Côte Rôtie appellation.
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les Roses”
France | Northern Rhône
Delicate and perfumed, it speaks softly, yet it has so much to say: lilies, bacon fat, spices... it could only be Côte Rôtie.
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
France | Northern Rhône
Yearning for northern Rhône magic? Here you go. Pull a cork or more and see what I mean.
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
France | Northern Rhône
From the classic aromas of graphite, black fruit, and roasted spice, to the total finesse of its tannins, this is Côte-Rôtie at its best.
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
France | Northern Rhône
This juicy, blueberry-and-leather-infused Syrah with a long finish is ready to drink tonight.
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge
France | Northern Rhône
The kind of Saint-Jo to dig into right away: smoky, layered, lush, and laced with violet, bay leaf, and black olive.
2023 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
France | Northern Rhône
A thick perfume of dry-aged meat, smoke, and violets preface a wine that is powerful, but in perfect proportion.
2020 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
France | Northern Rhône
From vines that are more than eighty years old comes this Marsanne with magnificent floral, pit fruit, and bitter notes.
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
France | Northern Rhône
This juicy, blueberry-and-leather-infused Syrah with a long finish is ready to drink tonight.
About The Producer
Barruol / Lynch
Louis Barruol is an indefatigable force in the Rhône, the 14th generation in his family to be making wine in Gigondas. On what was once the site of a Roman villa, Louis’ cellars show spectacular remains of Roman vinification vats carved into the limestone. Here, Louis works with different grape varietals from the Rhône, vinifying each parcel separately. He’s taken to acting as a micro-négociant, working with top growers in the region who still work with Sérine. Producing only a few precious barrels of each cuvée, Louis is helping to save the authenticity and identity of old Côte Rôtie parcels. Together, he and Kermit blend our Northern Rhône wines and a Southern Côtes du Rhône Blanc and Rouge from a selection of Louis’ purchases.
More from Northern Rhône or France
2023 Saint Joseph Rouge “Les Ribaudes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2023 Condrieu
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Cornas “Renaissance”
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2022 Cornas
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2024 Vin de France Rouge “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint Joseph Rouge “Les Ribaudes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2023 Condrieu
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Cornas “Renaissance”
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2022 Cornas
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2024 Vin de France Rouge “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
Vintage Chart Mentality
Vintage Chart Mentality
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch