Washington Syrah v. Cote-Rotie

The Tour de France is fast approaching and the pros are putting the finishing touches on their form and fitness for the Grand Boucle.  Many teams and riders like to prepare for the big race with shorter, week long, stage races that cover the same territory as le Tour.

Two of the more popular races are Paris-Nice and the Criterium du Dauphine.  Stage 5 of this year's Paris-Nice passed through the Rhone valley giving the sprinters a final chance to battle for victory.  Olav Kooij from the Jumbo Visma squad took the win as his team prepares to support last year's Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard in pursuit of back-to-back victories.

These tune ups are also a great time for Lucha Vino to prepare for this year's challenge with a throw down featuring a Washington Syrah duking it out with a French challenger from the Cote-Rotie AOC.

2020 Succession Wines  Syrah v. 2018 Domaine-Rostaing Ampodium

Tale of the Tape

2020 Succession Wines Syrah

100% Syrah aged for 15 months in a combination of Puncheons and Barriques

Sourced from the following vineyards:

• 47% Quintessence Vineyards - Red Mountain AVA
• 44% Candy Mountain Vineyards - Candy Mountain AVA
• 8% Ancient Stones Vineyard - Walla Walla Valley AVA (The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater)
• 1% Antoine Creek Vineyards - Columbia Valley AVA

Provided as a sample by the winery

2018 Domain-Rostaing Ampodium

Made from grapes sourced from 13 sites within the Cote-Rotie AOC

Aged for 24 months in 228 litre Burgundy barrels and 600 litre demi-muids with minimal new oak.

Purchased at auction from WineBid for $50

Round 1. First Opening

The Succession Luchador from Washington struts into the ring with flowing robes and an entourage that features a nose of dark blue fruit, light brambles and savory green olives.  Their crew continues with a palate that doubles down on the dark blue fruit followed by light roasted coffee, cracked pepper and a spicy finish.

The French Domaine Roistang challenger from Cote-Rotie seems to be intimidated by the Succession Syrah's flare.  The nose is an interesting melange of roasted cherries along with herbal mint and floral violet notes.  The palate follows with tart blue berries, dry cedar bark and a dry tannin fueled finish.

After clearing the  Succession Syrah entourage out of the ring, the match gets down to business with a flurry of action and several well placed blows by the Washington Luchador to Roistang's mid section.

The first round is easily won by Succession.

Round 2. One Hour After Opening

The Succession Syrah is gaining strength and penache with a variety of spinning leg kicks and a nose showing blueberry cobbler, light brambles and olive brine notes.  The palate is developing darker blueberry and cracked pepper while backing off on the spicy finish that still shows a complimentary dose of tannins.

The Domaine Roistang challenger is fighting back and grappling with the Succession luchador in an attempt to  apply a figure four leg lock, but fails.  The nose is continuing to evolve as well with a nose of stewed cherries and blueberry with light white pepper and floral violet notes.  The palate is slower to develop with continued tart blue fruit notes accompanied by coffee bean, cedar bark and a tart tannin finish.

Round two was closer, but Succession was the clear aggressor, winning the round and taking a 2-0 lead in the match.

Round 3. One Day After Opening

It's desperation time for the Cote-Rotie challenger. Down 2-0 this final round is all or nothing for Domaine Roistang and it shows as the French luchador flies into action with a nose of blueberry crumble that includes hints of baking spices and dried flowers.  Not to be outdone, the palate steps up with stronger blueberry character, dry white pepper and a healthy tannin backbone.

Succession seems to be calm, cool and collected.  Domaine Roistang's sound and fury isn't phasing the Washington Syrah at all.  

In this final round Succession is showing serious stamina with a nose of muted blueberry, dusty brambles and light olive tapenade.  The palate has flavors of blueberry and cracked pepper backed up with a light cocoa powder tannin finish. 

The Cote-Rotie challenger put on a desperate charge, but in the end it was not enough to knock out the Succession Syrah.

Succession takes the final round for a dominant 3-0 victory.

Wrap up and Overall Observations

Both these Syrahs were solid.  

The Succession was more drinkable at this younger age and should continue to age for many more years. 

The Domaine-Roistang was tight and improved with air, especially on day two.  This Cote-Rotie will definitely improve with more time in the bottle.

My recommendation is to enjoy the Succession Syrah now while you wait to drink the Domaine-Roistang a few years from now.