Francois & Fils 2020 Cote Rotie, Rhone Valley, France

This tiny production Northern Rhone is actually a side project for this estate, they are cheese makers by trade. This is an amazingly complex Syrah, deep with smoky notes, blackberries and cracked pepper. Full on the palate but with a silken texture.There is some tannin grip but they are fine tannins, so they don't rip your palate apart. Built to age but drinks great with some decanting, about an hour or two to bring out all its charm.  Aged in large and smaller barrels, it possesses classic Côte-Rôtie violets and blueberries in both aroma and flavor, haunting beauty that may re-define what Syrah means to you.  Medium bodied, with a little saltiness.  The flavor of crushed blueberries stays with you through the finish.

With some estates in this tiny, breathtakingly steep appellation fetching  $200 and more, it is thrilling to discover this handsome Syrah doing al the Côte-Rôtie things:  exotic aromas of violets and blue fruits, silky textures, other-worldly flavors of blueberries and faint bacon-y notes.  What a treat!