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 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.
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.
2022 Côte-Rôtie
France | Northern Rhône
The pinnacle of traditional Côte-Rôtie being produced today.
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from six vineyards that, when blended, showcase the whole of the Côte Rôtie appellation.
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Habrard”
France | Northern Rhône
Delicate floral aromas will blossom, and your first glass will be spring-loaded with a palate-invigorating freshness and velvety depth.
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from vines planted between 1937 and 1976, this cuvée showcases impressive depth and soul.
2021 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.
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.
2023 Saint-Péray Blanc
France | Northern Rhône
With a nose of gunflint and suave Marsanne fruit, it has length and finesse; extremely limited availability
2020 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
France | Northern Rhône
Elegance and restraint from one of the hill’s lesser-known terroirs.
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
2020 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Collines Rhodaniennes Viognier “Les Ruisseaux”
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les 3 Brunes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Ardèche Syrah “Syrah Mauve”
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2022 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2021 Cornas “Renaissance”
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Condrieu “Chéry”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2020 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Collines Rhodaniennes Viognier “Les Ruisseaux”
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les 3 Brunes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Ardèche Syrah “Syrah Mauve”
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2022 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2021 Cornas “Renaissance”
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Condrieu “Chéry”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171