Clusel-Roch

Clusel-Roch is a small family domaine in Côte-Rôtie, one of the Northern Rhône's most demanding and rewarding appellations. The vineyards are steep, granite-terraced, and harvested by hand. Gilbert Clusel and his wife Brigitte Roch built the estate from scratch in the 1980s and it is now run with the same attention to detail that earned it a loyal following among Rhône enthusiasts.

Côte-Rôtie is Syrah territory, though a little Viognier is permitted and traditionalists co-ferment it with the Syrah. The result, when the vintage cooperates, is a red of real depth: violet, dark olive, dark berry and a mineral spine that sets these wines apart from warmer-climate Syrah.