2012 Domaine Clusel-Roch Côte-Rôtie Classique
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Tasting notes
Stables, black cherry and violet – this is the most farmy side of Syrah, and it is hugely convincing. Dry and fibrous on the palate – still serious and firm in structure considering the age. A well-built vin de garde. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Dark ruby. Red fruit compote and floral pastille scents show very good clarity, picking up pipe tobacco, violet and spicecake nuances with aeration. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering pliant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors given lift and spine by tangy acidity. Closes spicy and long, with silky tannins coming in late and adding gentle grip.
Dark purple. Pungent aromas of blackberry, blueberry, violet, licorice and smoky minerals. Spicy and focused in the mouth, with a peppery accent contributing lift to the sappy black and blue fruit flavors. Shows very good power and tension on the fruit-driven finish, which is given grip by youthfully firm tannins.
Syrah showing great beauty in this vintage: smells dark and refined and just a hint of floral perfume, as only Syrah can. Pure, fresh and quite delicate, almost red fruited on the palate, so light on its feet but persistent too. Delicious and approachable with an elegant dry finish. (JH)