Wines Côte-Rôtie Domaine Clusel-Roch - Les Grandes Places - 2020

Viniou Reviews

The Domaine Clusel-Roch Côte-Rôtie "Les Grandes Places" 2020 is an exquisite red wine born from one of the Rhône Valley's most prized terroirs. Crafted with meticulous care, this wine is predominantly Syrah, showcasing the varietal's aromatic complexity and depth. The "Les Grandes Places" parcel is particularly revered for its ancient, steeply sloped schist soils, contributing structure and minerality. Vineyard management is certified organic, emphasising respect for nature and allowing for pure expression of the grape and terroir. In the cellar, the Clusel-Roch family tends towards gentle extraction, often incorporating a significant proportion of whole bunches and practising élevage in used oak to preserve fruit purity and elegance. The 2020 vintage is shaped by a warm, balanced growing season, resulting in wines of ripeness yet marked by Côte-Rôtie’s trademark finesse. Expect a nose brimming with violets, blackcurrant, crushed black pepper, and hints of cured meat, while the palate reveals silky tannins, energetic freshness, and a lingering, savoury finish.

The northern Rhône's Côte-Rôtie sits on dramatic hillsides just south of Lyon, where the influence of the continental climate brings cold winters and warm summers. The region’s unique "roasted slope" exposure, combined with metamorphic schist soils and granite bedrock, is ideal for Syrah cultivation, producing some of the most perfumed and structured wines in the world. Côte-Rôtie has a storied winemaking heritage dating back to Roman times, and today it is prized for wines that balance power and sophistication, often with a touch of floral Viognier blended in, though "Les Grandes Places" is typically 100% Syrah.

For food pairings, this Côte-Rôtie excels alongside classic Rhône specialities. Lamb shoulder cooked with herbs, roasted game birds, or duck breast with blackcurrant sauce would be sublime matches, allowing the wine's savoury notes and refined structure to shine. Regional French cheeses like Saint-Marcellin or Tomme de Savoie also complement its aromatic profile.

To fully appreciate the complexity and beauty of Clusel-Roch Côte-Rôtie "Les Grandes Places" 2020, serve at 16-18°C. A decanting period of one to two hours will help the wine open up, revealing its layers and enhancing your tasting experience. This is a wine with excellent cellaring potential, but already offers remarkable pleasure for the discerning palate.