Winemaker Notes
Shows an enticing, deep purple-ruby color. The aromas are driven by black fruit, along with lilacs, violets, freshly roasted espresso, and a hint of black pepper. On the palate, this beast uncovers layers of dark plum and coffee, with dried herbs and black truffle resolving in plush tannins. An instantly satisfying example of Chapoutier’s work in Roussillon. Drink now–2028.
Critical Acclaim
94pts Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from higher elevation granite soils and just about all Syrah, the 2018 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde L'Esquerda offers stunning granite character with its cassis and black raspberry fruit intermixed with lots of wet stone, ground pepper, white flowers, and hints of truffle. Deep, medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure and elegant on the palate, with light tannins, it's going to keep for upwards of a decade.
93pts Robert Parker
A blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2018 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde l'Esquerda looks potentially outstanding. Crushed stone accents give this full-bodied red a sense of austerity, while the blueberry and cherry fruit is bold and muscular, yielding to a long, mouthwatering finish. Michel Chapoutier's Roussillon outpost is a worthy extension to his Rhône Valley operations. The emphasis is on the same varieties—Grenache and Syrah, in varying proportions depending on the terroir—and overall quality is very good, with the séléctions parcellaires particularly notable for their excellence and limited production volumes.
750ml