Producer · Northern Rhône, France

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, terraced and harvested by hand. The Clusel family have grown vines here since the 1930s, and the domaine took the name Clusel-Roch when Gilbert Clusel and his wife Brigitte Roch took it on in the 1980s. It is still 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.

Winery at Ampuis, Northern Rhône · Syrah and Viognier · £59.95 a bottle