Jean-Baptiste Souillard Syrah 2023

The lion’s share of this wine comes from two separate parcels in the Drôme (one planted in the 1980s, the other in the ’90s). Both are tiny plots (0.2ha total) on clay over sand at Chavannes, due west of Crozes-Hermitage. As of 2022, the wines include one-third declassified Saint-Joseph from mature wines in Andance. Conceived as an approachable style, it still gives a strong sense of what to expect as you head up the range. Fermented wild, the winemaking took in some whole-clusters and pump-overs. Aging played out over 12 to 15 months in older oak barrels. The result is a bright, spicy, perfumed Syrah with textured tannins, flavours of crushed red and black fruit and a fine, elegant and refreshing finish. All that’s needed is a medium-rare entrecôte or rib eye.