Rhône: New Releases

This is perhaps the wine that needs the most explanation in the Bott cellar. The name may sound unfamiliar. Don’t worry, we’d never tried a Seyssuel either. It comes from vines planted just a 10 minute drive from Ampuis. The soils here are made up of schist and gneiss and Julie says they look shiny when the sunlight catches them. There’s no granite here, on the other side of the river, and the Syrah is floral and pinot-esque, with an elegant texture. Kamata is the Maori work for rock or stone, and a nod to Graeme’s Kiwi origins. Light, fragrant, and delectable. More than a curiosity.

2019 is the first release made from the vines Julie and Graeme planted themselves in their garden. Effectively, where their whole adventure began. The vineyard sits between Coteau de Chéry and Château Grillet, behind their house in Vérin. They like to pick their whites early, and here they have captured the freshness of just-ripened Viognier with its silky texture in this stunning debut. There’s a tangy grip here which we love. Just 934 bottles have been made.

This is a poised and energetic Condrieu. The Botts are not looking for richness and ripe alcohols in their whites. To that end they pick fairly early. This is 13.5% abv, and is packed with vibrant fresh fruit flavours - melon and Conference pear with a hint of nutty almond in the background. A superb wine.

This is another wine to get excited about chez Bott. It has that textured, dark-fruited, graphite-lifted, floral character we love in Saint-Joseph. There is a silkiness to the tannins, helped by the gentle vinification. Excellent stuff.

This tiny cuvée is the jewel in the crown at this estate. Whilst it might be easy for a young domaine to buy vineyards in Seyssuel, it is not so easy in Côte-Rôtie. But Graeme and Julie do have two tiny parcels, and this cuvée has already won them much praise as newcomers to get seriously excited about. The 2019 continues their strong form in producing serious and impeccably balanced Côte-Rôtie.

Juicy and pure, light-footed and elegant, this Syrah has such a smooth and fresh frame, it will drink well from the off. It comes from vines near Ampuis, planted higher up, just above the Côte Rôtie appellation. It is bursting with fruit, high energy, and joyful in its expression. Another triumph from this young domaine. Stock up.