Bernard Levet farms 3.5 hectares of vines above the village of Ampuis. He owns vines in some of the most prestigious real estate in the Côte-Rôtie appellation, including the famed parcels Moulin and Landonne. These properties have been in the family since the 1930's and today they are still farmed in exactly the same manner: no tractors, no chemicals, and everything is done by hand. This particular bottling, Les Journaries, is produced from a few different parcels, but mainly from old vines within the Côte Brune area of the hill, and especially the lieu-dit of “La Landonne.” (You might be familiar with this vineyard site because it has been made famous by E. Guigal, whose La Landonne bottling of the same vintage costs $600+.)   

Following the the harvest, fruit is left in whole clusters before fermentation in large tanks. The process of macerating the grapes and carrying the juice through alcoholic and malolactic fermentation is slow, and is not often completed until the new year. Ultimately, the wine is aged in medium-sized “demi-muid” barrels for three years before bottling and further aging until release—the entire process generally takes 4 years. This gradual, delicate approach in the cellar produces wines that are incredibly nuanced, aromatic, and perfect for extended aging. 

The 2008 Bernard Levet Côte-Rôtie Les Journaries is perfectly mature right now. The wine has a translucent crimson center which stays consistent in depth and color to the rim. Aromas of turkish coffee, black olive, wild thyme, lavender, violets, tobacco and grilled meat are are a heaven of savory aromas. The palate is medium to full bodied, with a pronounced refreshing, angular quality that I love. This wine needs some air to reach its full potential so I encourage you to decant the wine for one hour before serving in a large Bordeaux stem at just over cellar temperature. Aged Côte-Rôtie and lamb is one of life’s great pleasures. This braised lamb shank dish is absolutely perfect.