Pierre Bénetière is one of Côte-Rôtie’s true artisans—working alone, without fanfare, crafting wines by hand from impossibly steep slopes in the north of the appellation. His “Cordeloux” bottling comes from a tiny plot near Côte Brune, with old vines, traditional methods, and a cellar approach that prizes purity over polish: whole-cluster fermentation, native yeast, long aging in neutral oak.

The 2010 vintage—one of the finest in the Northern Rhône this century—is now in its prime. With 14+ years of age, the wine has shed any youthful muscle and now shows remarkable grace: black olive, cured meat, dried violet, and cool mineral notes. The palate is taut, savory, and incredibly fine, with tannins that have melted into a seamless, silken structure.

No flash, no tricks—just Syrah as a conduit for place and time. For lovers of Allemand, Gonon, or old-school Cornas, Cordeloux 2010 is a rare chance to experience Côte-Rôtie at its most understated and profound.