Domaine de Bonserine - Côte Rôtie La Sarrasine 2023

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This small estate produces just four wines—three from Côte Rôtie and one from Condrieu—from its 12 hectares of vineyards, 11 of which are in Côte Rôtie, spread across a large number of plots. Owned by the Guigal family since 2006, the estate is managed by an independent team. The wines tasted are consistently flawless, but they lack just a touch of magic to truly serve as great ambassadors for the Côte.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A classic label from the estate, this Sarrasine blends juices from various plots and, like the other vintages, undergoes an ambitious aging process—in this case, 24 months in demi-muids, half of which are new. The result is a remarkably harmonious wine that elegantly expresses notes of crushed raspberry, noble vegetal aromas, and black pepper. On the palate, one discovers a full-bodied, juicy texture, supported by dense, velvety tannins, with the added bonus of a beautiful, lingering finish enlivened by subtle bitter notes—a testament to its solid pedigree and excellent aging potential.

About the estate:

When Marcel Guigal acquired this estate in 2006—founded in 1961 and expanded and modernized in the 1990s—he added a jewel to his already richly adorned crown: a 12-hectare vineyard planted primarily with “Serine,” an old variety of Syrah, which produces Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Acquired by the Guigal family in 2006, the Bonserine estate has retained complete autonomy. At the helm, Ludovic Richard can draw on a fine portfolio of vineyards in Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu. The entire vineyard is plowed, and the use of native yeasts is standard practice. The aging of the reds remains pronounced, but they will mellow with time.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

A dark, flavorful nose. Juicy and supple on the palate, yet with a firm, ripe tannic structure in the background. A lively, lingering finish, with the characteristic freshness of the vintage.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The 2023 Côte Rôtie La Sarrasine boasts a deep purple color and impressive aromas of red and blue berries, smoked meats, flowers, and hints of burnt earth. It is beautifully balanced, medium-bodied to full-bodied, with supple yet powerful tannins and a lovely finish. This harmonious and complex Côte Rôtie will provide great pleasure now, but can be cellared for 10 to 15 years. Composed of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, it spent 24 months in two-wine demi-muids.