Bernard Levet, Cote-Rotie, 2021

Levet doesn’t do soft Syrah. Their wines are built the traditional way—whole cluster, native yeast, long macerations, and aging in old barrels. In 2021, a cooler vintage with vibrant acidity and leaner fruit, that style shines even brighter: this is Côte-Rôtie with tension, grit, and unmistakable character. It starts with that wild, unmistakable Levet perfume—violets, smoked meat, olive brine, and crushed herbs—before tightening into a palate that’s sinewy and mineral, more savory than fruit-driven. The tannins are firm but not harsh, the fruit dark and restrained, and the overall feel is raw in the best sense. This is Syrah for lovers of wines that move slowly, evolve in the glass, and reward patience at the table or in the cellar. If you lean toward Gonon, Barge, or old-school Cornas, Levet’s Côte-Rôtie is a must—untamed, unfiltered, and completely itself.