Domaine Grand Nicolet "Les Esqueyrons" Rasteau 2022

Vin Chicago: 92 Points

(5/2025) True to form, the Les Esqueryrons bottling is a clasically roasty, moreish Rhone red that exudes its warm site and harvest. This top wine from a family-run property, which first planeted vines in 1875, today farms 27.5 hectares in Rasteau. An even blend of 80-year-old Grenache and 50-year-old Syrah vines, the Grenache ages in concrete, the Syrah in barrel - before uniting. With notes of broiled cherry, scorched earth, figs, dried lavender and rosemary, baked plum, cocoa and kirsch - this is heady, ripe viticulture at an extreme value. Comparing this top bottling to Priorat or Amarone will leave you rich, it scores with that kind of power! Drink now.