Boutinot La Cote Sauvage Cairanne 2022 vs Virgile Joly Lirac 2021

Boutinot La Cote Sauvage Cairanne 2022

Domaine Boutinot La Côte Sauvage is the flagship Cairanne cuvée — a wine that showcases everything that earned this Southern Rhône village its cru status in 2016. Old-vine Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre from hilltop vineyards on La Monté de Ventabren, vinified traditionally and aged for 22 months in French oak, produce a red of real opulence, complexity, and finesse. Why You'll Love It Domaine Boutinot has spent over 30 years crafting wines in the Southern Rhône, and La Côte Sauvage represents the pinnacle of that work. Minimal intervention in the vineyard, natural yeasts, long cuvaison, and a final assemblage drawn from over 110 barrels — this is a wine made with genuine ambition and craft. If you want to understand what Cairanne is capable of, this is the bottle to open. Vineyard & Production The vineyards sit on argilo-calcaire soils — limestone pebbles over water-retentive clay — which encourage slow, even ripening through the hot Southern Rhône summer. Grapes are hand-harvested into small baskets and vinified in 6,000-litre open oak vats using natural yeasts. Each parcel undergoes long cuvaison with gentle remontage and manual pigeage, before selected parcels are matured for 22 months in French oak barrels and demi-muids of varying ages. Tasting Notes Opulent and complex, with aromas of morello cherry, cinnamon spice, and dark plum. The palate reveals liquorice, chocolate, and a hint of black tea, supported by smooth, supple tannins. Full-bodied and elegant, this wine rewards time in the glass — opening up with greater depth and refinement as it breathes. Perfect Pairings Made for slow-cooked, richly flavoured dishes. Try it with duck cassoulet, beef daube Niçoise, or a hearty beef casserole. Vegetarian options like grilled aubergine with Provençal tomato sauce also complement its structure beautifully. The Blend Grenache Noir 60%, Syrah 25%, Mourvèdre 10%, other 5% — Cairanne Cru, Southern Rhône, France. 22 months French oak. 75cl bottle.